Last Chance to Register for BioBriefing: Basics of Biotech
BioBriefing - Presented by the BIOCOM Institute and Biotech Primer
Tuesday, June 23, 2009: 8:30-5:00pm
Location: BIOCOM
The one-day BioBriefing course provides a concise overview of the key concepts of modern biology and an introduction to the technology and terminology used in the biotech and medical device industries. Classes are specifically geared toward the non-science professional who needs to better understand industry terminology, science, techniques and issues. You can become instrumental in your company’s success by understanding the science and technology driving the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. Be strategic in your relationship-building by knowing who the industry players are and how they interact. Learn from credentialed BioTech Primer instructors that have the skill and experience to teach executives with a wide variety of non-science backgrounds in an engaging environment.
For more information and to register click: http://www.biocom.org/event/BioBriefing_Summer_09/
‘A-G' Curriculum for All
The San Diego Unified School Board took a bold step towards ensuring that all students will graduate high school prepared to become lifelong learners in an ever changing economy and will be prepared for their choice of post-secondary education. In a vote of 4 to 1, the school board adopted a resolution (pasted below) directing the superintendent to develop a plan to provide the rigorous 'A-G' curriculum to all students beginning in the academic year 2010-11. The Education Consortium of San Diego County, which is made up of more than 25 organizations and includes students, parents, community members and community leaders, applauds this visionary step.
The 'A-G' course sequence is made up of 15 courses that teach core academic skills in English, Math, Science, and other subjects. Students who complete the sequence are better prepared to enter a variety of post-secondary education and training programs including rigorous apprenticeship programs, community-college degree programs, and universities without having to take remedial classes. Because only 4 in 10 high school graduates in the county complete the 'A-G' sequence--a far lower rate than in most other major counties in the state--the Education Consortium has been urging school districts across the county to adopt 'A-G' as the default curriculum such as has been done in San Francisco, San Jose, and Los Angeles. The San Diego Unified School District is the first district in the county to adopt 'A-G' as the default curriculum and now leads the way for other districts to follow.
For more information about the Education Consortium or about the importance of 'A-G' curriculum, go to www.educatesandiego.org.
BIOCOM: Constantly Adding Value for our Members
Due to the tough economic environment and our desire to get talented workers hired, the BIOCOM Institute and BioSpace have decided to offer BIOCOM members free access to the regional BIOCOM Career Center resume database and one free job posting for the month of June.
The BIOCOM Career Center, powered by BioSpace's award-winning technology platform, is a regional online job board that is utilized by lifescience employers and job candidates in California. The career center offers unprecedented exposure to active and passive jobseekers in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, diagnostics, academic and other life science industries. The resume database is a strategic staffing solution that will allow your company to search resumes using filters that tailor search results to fit specific recruitment needs.
If your company has recently been a part of Reduction in Force, the career center can also help by offering former employees a tool to find employment opportunities. Candidates are able to create accounts, apply for jobs, and post their resumes for viewing by local employers. To register and upload resumes at the BIOCOM Career Center please visit: http://biocom.biospace.com/JobSeeker/JobSeekerLogin.aspx
The BIOCOM Career Center offers a powerful solution for BIOCOM members looking to fill open positions with top talent from the Southern California area. If you are interested in this offer please email kgrover@biocom.org so that we may set you up with a password for the month of June. This is free to all BIOCOM members so please feel free to pass on to your colleagues.
Biological Technician Workforce Survey
The purpose of the study is to understand the role of biotechnology training partnerships in the recruitment and hiring of entry-level biological technicians. The data from this survey will be used to analyze trends in company sourcing of manufacturing and research support staff, as well as the effectiveness of community college programs in meeting industry demand for a well-trained technician workforce.
Please note that your answers will be kept confidential and all data will be reported in the aggregate so that your company’s information will not be identifiable to others.
Thank you very much for your participation. Please email Kristie Grover at kgrover@biocom.org with your responses.
1. Please list the occupational titles of all entry-level technician positions in your workforce for which a community college Associate’s degree (A.S.) or Certificate is typically the minimum or preferred educational requirement.
2. What is the size of your current entry-level technician workforce?
3. How many entry-level (EL) technicians in your current workforce have a certificate or two-year A.S. degree from a community college biotechnology program?
4. How many entry-level technicians were hired in the last three years?
5. Of the entry-level technicians hired in the last three years, please state the number that has a community college certificate or A.S. degree.
6. What are your company’s primary recruitment methods for entry-level technicians?
7. Do you work directly with community college program staff or faculty to fill your entry-level technician positions?
PGC200 Consultant Café
Pass Go, Collect $200. PGC200 is a Consultant Cafe in San Diego, California. Our vision is to provide the tools and support necessary for life science professionals to successfully transition their careers in these times of rapid change.
Whether you are in transition or have decided to raise the level of your career, it may feel like you are on the "Pass Go, Collect $200" square, about to embark on the next round. How you decide to play the gainful employment game depends on who you know, what you know, and when you are ready to make the big change. At PGC200 events, you will see how others have successfully changed tracks to become independent consultants, obtain academic tenure, or added new capabilities to adapt to our changing economy. Through seminars and group events, you may also learn the soft skills that will help you transform you career to the next level.
Find out more about PGC200 please visit the LinkedIn page: http://tinyurl.com/mtd882