Statewide Bioscience Skills Gap Report Released

Eighteen-Month Tech Collective report shows need and offers recommendations for
Bioscience workforce development.
PROVIDENCE, R.I.--(Business Wire)--
Tech Collective, Rhode Island`s Biotechnology Industry Association, today
announces the release of its Report of the Rhode Island Bioscience Industry
Skills Gap Taskforce. Overall, the report hails the states existing industry
foundation, but urges a stronger investment in them. Specifically, the report:

* Highlights the state of the industry in Rhode Island
* Investigates and identifies causes of skills gaps between employer need and
available talent, particularly at the entry level
* Outlines career opportunities at the entry, incumbent and transitioning worker
level
* Outlines available education and training resources ranging from
preK-continuing
* Provides recommendations and strategies for improvement

In partnership with the University of Rhode Island Providence Biotechnology
Center and conducted over the course of eighteen months, the report is a
culmination of local interviews, surveys, public forums and RI Labor Market
Information (LMI) as well as national research and United States Department of
Labor data. Recommendations of the report encourage further collaboration among
industry, academic and government bioscience stakeholders, increased public and
industry awareness of bioscience opportunities and continued expansion and
investment in workforce education programs.

"The Report of the Rhode Island Bioscience Industry Skills Gap Task Force is an
integral step in defining the State`s Bioscience industry and workforce needs
and moving it forward," said Kathie Shields, executive director for the Tech
Collective. "Not only is the Report a guide and resource to this burgeoning
industry, it is also opportunistic in its finding that Rhode Island is
well-suited for the biosciences; we just need to foster its needs as it takes a
predominate place in our 21st century knowledge economy."

"The URI Providence Biotechnology Center was pleased to be asked to participate
in the Biotechnology Skills Gap Report," said Gregory Paquette, PhD, CLS,
clinical professor and director of biotechnology and medical laboratory science
programs, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology for URI. "URI has supported
the development of the life sciences industry in the state and region through a
number of initiatives, and we believe the recommendations of this report, if
implemented, will dramatically improve the economic environment in Rhode Island
by growing the rapidly emerging life sciences industry."

"Biomedical Structures is proud to be a part of the Rhode Island Bioscience
Industry Skills Gap Task Force," said John Gray, president of Biomedical
Structures. "Knowing that the skill set of the workforce is the heart and soul
of our local economy, the Report is the foundation from which to amplify our
broad based, yet under heralded Bioscience / Biotechnology industry. It is an
opportunity to truly grow and benefit the bioscience companies in this state.
And it highlights the established commitment of many RI BioTech firms, including
Biomedical Structures, investing in a cooperative approach of industry,
government and academia to give us a common voice and ensure that Biosciences in
Rhode Island reach their full potential."

The report was funded by the Governor`s Workforce Board of Rhode Island (GWBRI)
Industry Partnership program, which supports efforts to develop the State`s
high-growth, high-wage industry sectors, including the biosciences. Tech
Collective plans to work with the GWBRI and other resources to carry out
recommendations offered in the Bioscience Skills Gap Report. The report can be
downloaded at www.tech-collective.org.

Tech Collective released a similar report for the IT industry in late 2007.

About the University of Rhode Island Providence Biotechnology Center:

The URI Providence Biotechnology Center is a collaboration between the
Department of Cell and Molecular Biology (College of the Environment and Life
Sciences) and the Graduate Professional Center (Feinstein College of Continuing
Education). Programs have been developed that include a BS Biotechnology
Manufacturing Program, MS Biotechnology Program, Biotechnology Industry Training
Program, the RI PK-12 Biotechnology Initiative, and the Institute for Immunology
and Informatics (I3). The Center has received over $16M in state, federal, and
industry support and now has eight faculty members, six support staff and over
12,000 sq. ft. of space, including 5 cutting-edge research and teaching labs,
and a sustainable operating budget of over $1M/year. Learn more at
www.uri.edu/prov/research/biotechcenter.html.

About Tech Collective:

Tech Collective is Rhode Island`s Information Technology and Bioscience Industry
Association. Uniting industry, government and academic stakeholders, our mission
is to inspire, engage, educate and employ a high-skill, high-wage Knowledge
Economy in Rhode Island. Since its transition from the Rhode Island Technology
Council (RITEC) in 2004, Tech Collective has received more than $6M in federal,
state and private grant funding to foster industry collaboration, awareness and
development through events and initiatives including: GRRL Tech, Women in
Technology, Bio-Ed, Tech Laureates` Night and STEM-based education and training
programs for K-16 students as well as incumbent and transitioning workers. For
more information about Tech Collective, please visit www.tech-collective.org.

Tech Collective
Kathie Shields, 401-521-7805 x105
Executive Director
ksheilds@tech-collective.org

Copyright Business Wire 2009