Model 1: Retooling Displaced Workers for Biotech
Winner: National Award: U.S Department of Labor for "Building an Industry Driven Workforce Investment System."
The events of 9-11 provided a critical opportunity in the San Francisco Bay Area for the public workforce investment system, when over 5,000 workers were displaced from the airline and travel industries. The rising needs of the biotechnology industry served as the catalyst to convert the existing skills of these workers to solve a workforce shortage issue in high growth biotech occupations.
Government responded with a unique solution to the challenge. The California Employment Development Department (EDD) funded the first biotech training pilot class and the development of a regional model. Transforming the skills of these workers was accomplished through a public-private partnership with the San Mateo County Workforce Investment Board (WIB), Alameda WIB, Skyline College, Ohlone College, San Mateo Central Labor Council, and Genentech, the first biotech company in the nation.
Displaced workers received three months of intensive training for entry-level bio-manufacturing positions at Genentech. The first training class resulted in a 95 percent placement rate in biotech positions paying $35,000 per year, thus averting significant economic challenges to the Bay Area, and setting the stage for the development of a high performing regional partnership.
