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.