Through a collaborative partnership facilitated by BioSTL, St. Louis Community
College has launched an introductory course for industry-recognized biotechnology skills with
curriculum co-developed with Thermo Fisher Scientific. The five-day certification course is an
effort to develop local talent with relevant experience to meet and support St. Louis’ regional
expertise in biotechnology – from quality control considerations to future technologies for
bioprocessing.
This biotechnology course is a short-term training program that will provide adult learners with
the technical knowledge and credentials needed to succeed on the job, and the program is costeffective for employers.
While many St. Louis employers report plans to increase staffing levels coming out of the
coronavirus pandemic, according to St. Louis Community College’s annual State of the
Workforce report, “a headwind to the future hiring optimism, employers reported a shortage of
workers with knowledge or skills as the most common barrier to expanding employment.”
“With this barrier in mind, employers need to be more strategic about growing talent, particularly
with middle-skills jobs – those that require more than a high school diploma but less than a fouryear college degree, such as a quality control analyst or a laboratory technician – being the most in-demand,” said Dr. Jeff Pittman, Chancellor, St. Louis Community College.
“I am consistently humbled by the innovation, creativity, and commitments coming out of
St. Louis,” said Congresswoman Cori Bush. “When we talk about investing in our communities,
we’re talking about generating meaningful opportunities for new jobs and better lives. That’s
exactly why I’ve been holding firm over on Capitol Hill to ensure we pass the Build Back Better
Act – because I know that St. Louis needs partnerships like this to build itself into one of the
Midwest’s technology hubs. I am proud to support initiatives that bring more jobs, resources, and
opportunities to St. Louis.”
Thermo Fisher Scientific identified this opportunity to develop local talent with biotechnology
experience. The company needs a technically trained workforce to drive the production of
biologic drug substance products, which treat a variety of chronic health conditions, including
cancers and other life-threatening diseases as well as COVID-19. With recent expansion plans in
St. Louis unveiled to invest $82.5 million to expand operations and create 169 new jobs, this
training course comes at an important time to address the continued growth in critical therapies
and medicines.
“The accelerated demand to bring important medicines and therapies to patients in need is
fueling our expansion. Developing our current and future talent is central to this growth
strategy,” said Paul Jorjorian, Vice President and General Manager, Biologics, Thermo Fisher
Scientific. “We are very proud to be part of this important collaboration that brings together
trade, industry and academia to develop the local workforce for careers in pharmaceutical
manufacturing. We look forward to working closely with BioSTL and St. Louis Community
College to bring this important training to the community.”
“Equitable workforce development is essential to the continued success of our growing
biomanufacturing sector and our region,” said Justin Raymundo, Manager, Regional Workforce
Strategy, BioSTL. “This cost-effective workforce solution provides a model for collaborations
between our academic institutions, anchor employers, and community organizations in the region
that enable short-term, accessible, and inclusive training for in-demand skill sets.”
These partnerships also signal the commitments of St. Louis’ life science employers, academic
institutions, and community to hire and invest locally by developing innovative training
programs that lead to quality jobs in high-growth sectors, like St. Louis’ vibrant bioscience
industry. This is a direct response to the STL 2030 Jobs Plan, which calls for industry-led
workforce collaborations as a key priority.
The Plan states, “The strategy to Become a Talent Engine and Magnet depends upon local
employers establishing partnerships with education and workforce training, public sector
agencies, support services and community organizations to create training programs that put
more people— particularly those from historically disadvantaged and underrepresented
communities—on pathways into quality jobs in supportive, inclusive workplaces.”
“The partnership among St. Louis Community College, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and BioSTL is
a blueprint to model for other companies and other industries,” said Jason Hall, CEO, Greater
STL, Inc. “This is a proven recipe for success: investing in the development of training programs
for other high-demand STEM occupations will expand program capacity, improve student
access, and address rising regional demand for biotech workers.”
Visit St. Louis Community College online to learn more about biotechnology.
WHAT: Biotech Introductory Course Kickoff
WHEN: Monday, October 25, 2021
2:00 p.m.
WHERE: The BioSTL Building – Rooftop
4340 Duncan Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63110
WHO: Dr. Elizabeth Gassel Perkins, Campus President and Chief Academic Officer, St.
Louis Community College at Florissant Valley
Jason Hall, CEO, Greater STL, Inc.
Paul Jorjorian, Vice President/General Manager, Biologics, Thermo Fisher
Scientific
Justin Raymundo, Manager, Regional Workforce Strategy, BioSTL
Donn Rubin, President & CEO, BioSTL
***
About BioSTL
Since 2001, BioSTL has laid the foundation for St. Louis’ innovation economy with a comprehensive set
of transformational programs that advance St. Louis’ leadership in solving important world challenges in
agriculture, medicine, health care, and other technology areas. BioSTL has introduced nationallyacclaimed initiatives in startup creation and investment (BioGenerator), strategic business attraction
(GlobalSTL), physical environment (including the Cortex Innovation District and BioGenerator Labs),
entrepreneur support (Fundamentals), seed and venture capital, a diverse and inclusive workforce, and
public policy. Find us online at biostl.org and follow us on twitter @BioSTL.
CONTACT
Maggie Crane | 314.422.6783 | mcrane@biostl.org
