Biotechnology and Biomedical
TSSB-Recognized Skill Standards July 13, 2004
Background
The Biotechnology and Biomedical skill
standards were developed in 2001 by the Washington State Board for
Community and Technical Colleges and the Washington Biotechnology and
Biomedical Association, with funding from the Workforce Development
Fund of the State of Washington. The development of the skill standards
was facilitated by Shoreline Community College and represents the first
set of Biotechnology/Biomedical skill standards for entry-level
technicians developed in the United States.
Considerable commitment and input was obtained from representatives
from industry, education, labor, community organizations, and
government in the development and validation of these standards.
Numerous industry front-line workers, first-line supervisors, and
professionals employed in biotechnology and biomedical companies in
Washington State contributed to the skill standards. Companies
represented were Immunex (Amgen, Inc.), ZymoGenetics, Cell
Therapeutics, MDS Panlabs, Targeted Genetics, Inc., and others.
Importance to
Texas
The Biotechnology and Life Science industry is one of six
industries included in the Texas Industry Cluster Initiative, which is
leading the state toward realizing a vision to build the future economy
of the state by focusing on strengthening competitive advantage.
According to the State of Texas Biotechnology and Life Science Cluster
Report of August 2005: “Nationally, Texas ranked in the top 20 states
for producing patents in medical equipment and medical electronics,
pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology in the past seven years. Over the
past five years, the biotechnology industry in Texas has experienced
growth of 149% compared to the previous five years. Texas has doubled
in its funding from the National Science Foundation over the past ten
years. Since 1993, Texas has received $6.4 billion for research and
development within the life science and biotechnology fields, 10.2% of
which was used for infrastructure. Add to that, between 2000 and 2004,
$360.8 million of private sector funded research and development has
occurred in Texas. Texas is primed for expansion and global competition
within biotechnology and life sciences.”
The report includes among its recommendations to “expand and support
biotechnology curriculum and training programs in high schools and two-
and four-year colleges.” Skill standards are an effective manner in
which to communicate the needs of biotechnology and biomedical
companies in Texas to educational providers.
TSSB
Recognition
Several member companies of the Texas Healthcare and Biosciences
Institute (THBI), including BioNumerik Pharmaceuticals, Introgen
Therapeutics, Inc., and Lexicon Genetics, Inc. reviewed the skill
standards and recommended that the TSSB recognize them.
On behalf of the biosciences industry in Texas THBI requested that the
TSSB recognize the skill standards at its July 2004 meeting. Citing
that medical research and manufacturing are major contributors to
Texas’ state and local economies, with “unusually great potential for
financial growth and job creation”, and that (as of April, 2004) more
than 475 companies of varying size exist within the Texas health care
technology community. These skill standards cover two important areas
of economic growth in Texas: Research, Development, and Manufacturing,
and Regulatory Affairs and Clinical Trials.