Aiming to inspire students to pursue careers in science and biotechnology, the City of South San Francisco, Genentech, and BayBio hosted the first annual Biotechnology Education and Workforce Development Summit in South San Francisco. Led by South San Francisco Councilmember Pradeep Gupta, the Summit explored ways to expose and inspire students to a career in biotechnology. Thirty-four representatives from biotechnology companies, educators and policy makers attended, collaborating to promote science and technology through schools, internships and student mentoring. The Summit was organized by the Biotechnology Education and Workforce Development Steering Committee, a coalition of fourteen organizations, academic institutions and biotechnology companies dedicated to creating new career opportunities for students through hands-on training and lab experience.
Participants included South San Francisco Mayor Karyl Matsumoto, Councilmember Pradeep Gupta, Assemblymember Kevin Mullin, Supervisor Dave Pine, Skyline College Dean of Science, Math, and Technology Raymond Hernandez, President of the South San Francisco School Board Maurice Goodman, biotechnology companies such as Genentech, Amgen, ThermoFisher Scientific and Cytokinetics, and major biotech influencers such as BayBio Institute.
“America’s ability to compete in today’s global economy will depend on our investments in training and educating our future workforce,” said Congresswoman Jackie Speier, “The Biotechnology Education and Workforce Development Steering Committee is exactly the type of public-private partnership we need to make our workforce competitive for generations to come.”
The Summit, which is the culmination of several targeted conversations started by South San Francisco Councilmember and Steering Committee President Pradeep Gupta, aims to build new and strengthen public-private partnerships that will inspire the next generation of biotech professionals in South San Francisco.
At the event, Councilmember Pradeep Gupta, Assemblymember Kevin Mullin, Supervisor Dave Pine, BayBio Institute Executive Director Lori Lindburg, Skyline College Dean of Science, Math, and Technology Raymond Hernandez, and South San Francisco Unified School District School Board President Maurice Goodman gave key statements.
“The Summit was fruitful,” says Councilmember Pradeep Gupta. “We got many action items out of the meeting, but momentum remains the challenge. We need to build a bridge not only between biotechnology and education, but also among vital organizations and businesses to help our youth succeed. When we collaborate, everyone wins.”
“The Biotechnology Education and Workforce Development Summit represents a step forward for further developing a strong local biotechnology workforce,” says Assemblymember Kevin Mullin who spoke at the conference, “by assembling leaders from industry and education, and various government and community group representatives, the summit provided a forum for collective discussion and progress toward that goal.”
“Building a bridge between the biotech industry and our educational institutions is not only good for our students but it also provides a ready workforce for fast growing local companies,” says Supervisor Dave Pine. “Such partnerships will yield tremendous benefits for our entire community.”
“We are very encouraged by the City of South San Francisco’s efforts to bring local industry and academic institutions together to collaborate around how best to prepare students for promising careers in the industry,” says BayBio Institute Executive Director Lori Lindburg. “We look forward to continuing to work with the City and industry partners on this important effort.”
“We need to support students through our community college and university institutions with direct connection to industry,” says Skyline Dean of Science, Math, Technology Raymond Hernandez. “The summit is an excellent start.”
“Councilmember Gupta, along with the support and leadership of Mayor Matsumoto, City Manager Mike Futrell, BayBio and Genentech, has created a catalyst with the potential to change how Industry leaders look at local workforce development, ultimately improving the educational experience for our youth in South San Francisco,” said SSFUSD School Board President Maurice Goodman.
While specific action items were identified during the Summit, additional discussions among Steering Committee members are required. The next Steering Committee meeting in November will establish four task forces aimed at encouraging industry engagement with the community, developing regional communication channels, expanding work-based learning opportunities, and connecting education pathways to career positions.
For more information, please contact City Manager Mike Futrell at (650) 676-0173.
Any summer internships available for 2015? Our college sophomore is at UC Davis pursuing a degree in Bio systems engineering. She excelled at El Camino High School graduating eleventh in her class of ’13. (Also MVP of the Badminton team). Looking for full or part-time internship possibilities for summer of 2015.