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DOL 2005 RECOGNITION
OF EXCELLENCE AWARD
BACKGROUND: Bio-tech has
become one of the fastest growing and most sought after
employment sectors. In California, cities such as San Francisco
and San Diego have major bio-tech clusters, while other
cities around the country are seeking to expand employment
in this area. While many of these jobs are in the research
area, an increasing number, particularly in larger firms
are in manufacturing. These positions, typically requiring
two years or less of post-secondary training, can potentially
offer high paying career opportunities to disadvantaged
individuals.
GOAL: To create an industry-driven
career pathway providing disadvantaged youth and adults
the full range of skills and competencies needed to move
to entry-level positions in the bio-tech industry.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES: Positions
typically pay $35-50K with good benefit packages and opportunity
for advancement.
EMPLOYER PARTNERS: Genentech,
Abgenix, Bayer, Beckman-Coulter, and many other companies
PROGRAM SITES:
- Alameda County, CA.
- San Mateo County, CA
- Contra Costa County, CA
- San Diego County, CA
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MODEL AND FRAMEWORK: Working
with employers, community colleges and workforce agencies,
GPA has developed a six month career pathway leading to
entry-level placement as process technicians:
- Stage 1: Recruitment, assessment and screening
to company standards;
- Stage 2: Three month intensive customized
post-secondary training developed to industry standards;
- Stage 3: Paid try-out employment subsidized
by private and public funds;
- Stage 4: Placement
GPA is also developing a Bridge program to
ready lower skilled youth to enter this pathway.
RESULTS: The Bay Area Bio-Tech
Career pathway has been very successful placing over 80%
of graduates with positions at Genentech, Bayer and other
major Bay Area employers
GPA ROLE:
- Program and strategic development;
- Partner recruitment;
- Employer recruitment;
- Funding development.
AWARDS: GPA has been
recognized with the the 2005 Department of Labor Recognition
of Excellence Award and the 2005 National Association of
Counties Human Services Innovation Award for its role in
developing and implementing the Bay Area bio-tech career
pathway
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