Bioversity Professional Development Programs
The opportunity to take your skills to the next level.
Workforce Training Programs for High School graduates/GED Holders, or Some College
Associates Degree and Certificate Programs
Workforce Training Programs for High School graduates/GED Holders, or Some College
Bioversity
Boston and Lowell
Description: Bioversity’s foundations training is an eight-week, intensive certification program that provides the hands-on learning and experience necessary to ready people with a high-school degree or GED to excel in scientific operations jobs at life sciences companies. Classes will include a mix of classroom time, learning lab experience, industry and role exposure, and site visits to potential employers.
Outcomes: Graduates will be prepared to apply for entry-level, full-time roles in various scientific operations roles such as facilities management, lab operations, supply chain and procurement – jobs that are in demand and have excellent opportunity for advancement and growth. Bioversity and its partners will support graduates during their job search and beyond through their first year of employment.
Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute (GMGI)
Gloucester, MA
Description: Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute (GMGI) offers a 10-month Biotechnology Certificate program through the Gloucester Biotechnology Academy. The program includes 7 months of in-class, hands-on training, tuition-free to students, ending with a 12-week paid internship in the life sciences industry. Students master techniques and standard laboratory practices, DNA techniques and instrumentation for a molecular biology workflow in Semester 1, and expand their laboratory skills through a bioprocessing workflow in Semester 2.
Outcomes: Graduates are placed in full-time roles in leading biotech and life science companies in the Commonwealth and beyond. Some graduates go on to pursue higher education and receive credit at select 2-year and 4-year institutions, including North Shore Community College, Salem State University, and Northeastern University.
Jewish Vocational Services
Boston, MA
Description: Jewish Vocational Services’ (JVS) Bridges to College program is a 23-week job training program to prepare students for careers in lab research, manufacturing, and quality control.
Outcomes: Upon completing the program, students enroll at Quincy College in their one-year Biotechnology and Good Manufacturing Practices certificate program.
Just A Start
Rindge Commons, Rindge Ave., Cambridge, MA
Description: Just A Start offers a free 9-month training program that provides courses in foundational biology/chemistry and career readiness along with 300 hours of hands-on laboratory training in biotechnology assays.
Outcomes: Upon completing the program, students are prepared and supported to obtain entry level positions as technicians in a variety of life science roles. In addition, graduates seeking to further their education can enroll at Bunker Hill Community College where they receive seven college credits toward the Biotechnology Associates Degree program.
LabCentral Ignite
LabCentral Ignite Cambridge, MA
Description: Career Forge identifies exceptional career-ready people (“Forgers”) and empowers them with the relevant technical skills needed to forge their path into the biotech industry with meaningful career opportunities.
Outcomes: Upon completing the program, students will be prepared for roles in Research Assistant/Associate and QC Analyst roles.
Massachusetts Biotechnology Education Foundation (MassBioEd)
Biomanufacturing Technician: Greater Boston cohort in Burlington, MA & online. Central MA cohort in Worcester, MA & online. Clinical Trial Associate: online. Lab Support Specialist: Boston. All educational courses followed by on-the-job training on site at company.
Description: MassBioEd’s Life Sciences Apprenticeship Program offers a streamlined pathway into the industry that combines technical training, on-site work experience, and income support. Soft skills workshops and broad industry knowledge are incorporated into the training to give apprentices an understanding of their role in the delivery of drugs to patients in need. Working with leading life sciences employers, MassBioEd has designed three apprenticeships – one for Biomanufacturing Technicians, one for Laboratory Support Specialists, and one for Clinical Trial Associates.
Outcomes: Graduates of the program will receive a digital badge for their coursework and a Certificate of Completion of a Registered Apprenticeship. Nearly all are hired into full-time positions at the company where they completed their on-the-job training.
WPI, Biomanufacturing Education & Training Center
WPI Gateway Park, Worcester, MA
Description: This fundamentals program, run in collaboration with many of the region’s leading biomanufacturing companies, gives adult learners the basic skills and knowledge they need to seek entry-level jobs in the industry. It includes a mix of classroom instruction and hands-on learning in small teams working on state-of-the-art biomanufacturing equipment. Ideal candidates include displaced workers, career changers, those re-entering the workforce, those wanting to transition their current skills into a new field, and current biotech workers who wish to broaden their knowledge and skills. Attendance is limited to 24 participants.
Outcomes: Upon graduation, learners have a competitive edge when applying to entry-level biomanufacturing jobs in the life sciences industry, including having exposure and relationships with many of the regions leading companies.
YearUp
Boston, MA
Description: Year Up offers a variety of skills based job training pathways that match the expertise corporate partners are seeking for their talent pool. Year Up is 100% tuition free, and students receive the support, tools, and resources they need to succeed in your desired career path regardless of their background, income, or zip code. Year Up is a 3-step job training program that takes 1 year or less to complete. The first phase of the program takes place in a classroom setting where you’ll learn the ins and outs of your specific training pathway, and develop professional and personal skills alongside a community that empowers you to reach your full potential. In the second phase of the program, you’ll be placed into a corporate internship where you’ll apply your newly acquired skills. Finally, upon graduation from Year Up, support staff will guide you through every part of your job search to ensure success.
Outcomes: Graduates of Year Up programming are well-positioned to be hired full-time in the industry they have done their skill based training, including being hired directly by the corporate partner where they conducted their internship.
Associates degree and certificate programs
Bristol Community College
Attleboro, MA; Fall River, MA; New Bedford, MA
Description: The 2-year Associate of Science in Biotechnology and Forensic DNA degree from Bristol Community College is designed to provide students with the biological and chemical background to seek careers as lab technicians in the biotechnology and biomedical sectors.
Outcomes: Graduates are prepared for roles in industrial and academic laboratories. Graduates can also transfer to select four-year institutions and apply credits earned through this program.
Bunker Hill Community College
Charlestown, MA
Description: Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) offers a two-year, full-time associate degree focused on biotechnology. Students can also transfer from BHCC to a four-year program to earn a Bachelor degree through the MassTransfer A2B program. Bunker Hill Community College offers a tuition-free plan to qualified Boston residents.
Outcomes: Graduates from this program can join the biotechnology industry in entry level roles in industry, police, government, and academic labs. Students can also continue their education at a four-year institution including Fitchburg State University, UMass Boston, and UMass Lowell.
Cape Cod Community College
Barnstable, MA
Description: This one-year certificate program prepares students to continue their education toward an Associate of Arts degree or enter the biotechnology workforce as laboratory technicians.
Outcomes: Graduates of the certificate program earn 26 academic credits that can be applied toward an Associate of Arts degree in Biology at Cape Cod Community College. Graduates can join the biotechnology industry as laboratory technicians working in areas such as healthcare, production support, manufacturing, laboratory prep assistance, and quality control.
Holyoke Community College
Holyoke, MA
Description: The Associate of Arts degree in Biotechnology at Holyoke Community College awards 62 academic credits. Students learn skills, including those in animal sciences, pharmaceutics, biomedical technologies, and forensics.
Outcomes: Graduates from this program can join the biotechnology industry in entry level roles and can transfer to a four-year institution to continue their learning.
MassBay Community College
Wellesley Hills, MA
Description: The Center for Therapeutics and Genomics Training at MassBay Community College offers two distinct Associate’s degrees: Biotechnology and Genomics & Biomanufacturing.
Outcomes: Graduates of this program gain skills and experiences to enter the biotechnology industry and government laboratories.
Middlesex Community College
Bedford, MA (evening courses), Lowell, MA (day and evening courses)
Description: This certificate program prepares students for entry level roles in the biotechnology industry and awards academic credits toward an Associate of Science degree.
Outcomes: Graduates of this program are hired in the biotechnology field in entry-level roles in production support, validation, manufacturing, process operation, and quality control. Twenty-nine academic credits are earned from this degree and can be applied to earn an Associate of Science degree as Biotechnology Technician from Middlesex Community College.
Middlesex Community College
Bedford, MA (evening courses), Lowell, MA (day and evening courses)
Description: This 2-year degree program awards 66 academic credits that can be applied to select four-year institutions where graduates can continue their education. Graduates also learn necessary skills to enter the biotechnology workforce.
Outcomes: Graduates of this program are hired in the biotechnology field in entry-level roles in manufacturing, research, validation, and quality control. Sixty-six academic credits are earned from this degree and can be applied at select four-year institutions toward a Bachelor’s degree.
North Shore Community College
Danvers, MA
Description: North Shore Community College offers an Associate of Arts in Biotechnology. Through the two-year program, students earn 60 academic credits that can be applied to select four-year institutions where graduates can continue their education towards a Bachelor’s degree. Graduates also learn necessary skills to join the life sciences workforce as biological technicians.
Outcomes: The degree offers 60 academic credits for graduates
North Shore Community College
Danvers, MA
Description: North Shore Community College offers a Biotechnology Certificate. Through the one-year program, students gain laboratory experience and learn standard operation protocols (SOP) and follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). The curriculum provides hands-on laboratory training needed for entry-level positions in the biotechnology industry.
Outcomes: The certificate offers 28 academic credits for graduates to continue education or enter the biotechnology workforce.
Quinsigamond Community College
Worcester, MA
Description: Quinsigamond Community College offers several associate degree programs related to the biotechnology and biomanufacturing field.
- Associate of Science in Biomedical Instrumentation
- Associate of Science in Biomedical Engineering
- Associate of Arts in Biotechnology
- Associate of Science in Manufacturing Technology – Quality Control
Outcomes: Students gain skills to join the biotechnology industry in entry level roles. Graduates can also continue their education at select four-year institutions.
Quinsigamond Community College
Worcester, MA
Description: The Biotechnology Technician Certificate provides students with an overview of the science of biotechnology, as well as the technical skills necessary for employment in the industry.
Outcomes: Graduates from the certificate program enter the biotechnology workforce as medical and clinical laboratory technologists. Graduates can also continue their education by applying credits to the Quinsigamond Community College’s Associate of Arts in Biotechnology degree.
Quincy College
Quincy, MA
Description: Quincy College offers a two-year associate degree in Biotechnology & Good Manufacturing Practice. The degree program offers students 450 hours of hands-on training and the practical experience that will allow them to excel in the biomanufacturing industry.
Outcomes: Graduates are hired in the biotechnology field in roles as manufacturing technicians, chemistry quality control technicians, and microbiology quality control technicians.
Quincy College
Quincy, MA
Description: Quincy College offers a 10-month certificate program in Biotechnology & Good Manufacturing Practice.
Outcomes: The Biotechnology Technician Certificate provides students with an overview of the science of biotechnology, as well as the technical skills necessary for employment in the industry.
Roxbury Community College
Roxbury, MA
Description: Roxbury Community College offers a two-year associate degree in Biotechnology. Through the program, students develop specific laboratory skills applicable to procedures commonly performed in research, hospital and industrial laboratories. Graduates of the program can join the workforce in entry-level positions as research or laboratory assistants or can matriculate to a four-year degree.
Outcomes: Graduates pursue careers in research and development, manufacturing, quality and regulatory affairs, and roles in administrative management. Graduates can also transfer to a four-year institution, including the Northeastern University College of Professional Studies for a Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology or to Bay State College for a Bachelor of Science in Business Management, focused on biotechnology.
Roxbury Community College
Roxbury, MA
Description: Roxbury Community College offers an 18-month certificate program in biotechnology and biomanufacturing. Graduates from this program typically enter the biotechnology workforce in roles including research assistants, lab technicians, and manufacturing technicians.
Outcomes: Certificate programs prepare students for entry-level positions in the biotechnology and biomanufacturing workforce.