Office of Education & Workforce Development

Strengthening the Southeast Bioscience Workforce Pipeline

Mission

The Office of Education & Workforce Development’s mission is to strengthen Georgia’s life sciences workforce pipeline through classroom-to-career initiatives that align with industry needs. We are building the capacity of Georgia classrooms to support the future life science workforce with teacher professional development in biotechnology, an equipment depot, a visiting scientist program, and the BioGENEius award for student biotechnology projects. The Institute provides training for current workforce needs (e.g., biotech courses for nonscientists and executive leadership training for future managers), and supports networking and mentoring for early career professionals through the Emerging Leaders Network.

Strategic Priorities

1. Build the capacity of K-12 schools to generate the Southeast’s future life science workforce

2. Strengthen our current workforce through professional development and career services

3. Create an interconnected community of students, educators, researchers and professionals in the Southeast

Programs

K-12 Workforce Programs

Biotechnician Assistant Credentialing Exam (BACE)

The Biotechnician Assistant Credentialing Exam (BACE) is designed to assess core skills and knowledge sets identified by industry, and represented within the academic and performance standards of Biotechnology programs.

BioGENEius Competition

The annual Georgia BioGENEius Challenge recognizes outstanding high school science students in the region, advancing winners to compete in the National and International BioGENEius Challenges at the BIO International Convention.

Equipment Depot

Provides K-12 teachers with the supplies and equipment they need to prepare students for careers in the life sciences. We accept donations from companies and universities, and get the supplies into the schools that desperately need it.

Rural Teacher Training Initiative

Immersive, hands-on, industry-relevant professional development for 7-12 grade rural science teachers to understand the role of biotechnology across the sciences and within Georgia’s industry.

Teacher Professional Development

Provides hands-on training and support to high school teachers with the goal of gaining deeper understanding in the instruction of biotechnology. We work with high schools, technical schools and industry to bring the relevance of the training topic, and opportunities in industry, back to schools and classrooms.

Visiting Scientist

Learn about life science career opportunities in the Southeast, and the skills needed to succeed in the life sciences industry.

Emerging Professionals Workforce Programs

Career Fair & Symposium

Opportunities for postsecondary students and experienced individuals looking to take the next steps in their careers.

Emerging Leaders Network

The Emerging Leaders Network (ELN) offers young professionals and graduate students who are interested in life sciences opportunities for developing industry contacts, mentoring, and career enhancement through a variety of programs.

Mentorship Program

We have a vested interest in building up young professionals in the life sciences community to empower the next generation of leaders. Mentorship serves as a key component of accomplishing this goal, and we have no shortage of leaders in life sciences who serve as excellent mentors.

Corporate Workforce Programs

From Laboratory to Leadership