May 14, 2019   SOURCE: BusinessWire

Biocom Institute Awarded Grant to Support Veterans’ Careers in the Life Sciences

Biocom Institute, the non-profit workforce development and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) arm of Biocom, today announced that it has received a $150,000 Workforce Accelerator Fund grant from the California Workforce Development Board to help introduce veterans to careers in the life sciences.

The grant will help to support Biocom Institute’s “Gateway to Life Science Careers for Veterans” project, a mission that will accelerate the recognition of veterans’ existing skills and provide educational opportunities and networking with leaders from the life science industry. This includes creating the Veterans in Life Science Virtual Network (VLSVN), a resource aimed at improving job matching and assessment strategies to accelerate employment, as well as hosting a number of career symposiums and fairs, workshops and mentorship programs.

“By providing a comprehensive set of resources for veterans looking to enter the industry, this grant will ultimately support the talent crisis our rapidly accelerating life science landscape is currently facing,” said Joe Panetta, CEO of Biocom. “Given the crossover of skillsets between veterans and the life science workforce, such as communication, leadership and mission-driven values, this group of individuals will synergistically support our industry in a broad range of ways.”

About Biocom Institute

Biocom Institute provides a rich array of programs to accelerate the growth of the life science ecosystem through workforce development and STEM education programs. Our industry-leading initiatives drive success for professionals eager to expand and enrich their skill set. Our world-class Science and Engineering Festival inspires today’s students to become future leaders. With a goal to invigorate the student community of California to embrace a career in STEM, and attract the best and brightest talent for long-term careers in life science, the Biocom Institute is a driving force in shaping the Science of Life. The Biocom Institute is an affiliate of Biocom, the largest and most experienced advocate for California’s life science sector. www.biocominstitute.org and @BiocomInstitute.

About the California Workforce Development Board

The California Workforce Development Board (State Board) was established in 1998, as outlined in the federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA). In 2014, the WIA was replaced by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), which outlines the vision and structure through which state workforce training and education programs are funded and administered regionally and locally. The State Board is responsible for the oversight and continuous improvement of the workforce system in California, which encompasses a wide array of work, including: policy development; workforce support and innovation; and performance assessment, measurement and reporting. The State Board manages multiple grants and initiatives aimed at reorienting and realigning California’s workforce programs and institutions, to support a dynamic and globally successful state economy that offers all residents an opportunity for a higher quality of life.

About the Workforce Accelerator Fund

The California Workforce Development Board and the Employment Development Department funded projects that design, develop, and implement projects that accelerate employment and re-employment strategies for California job seekers. The State Board and EDD will fund projects and partnerships to create and prototype innovative strategies that bridge education and workforce gaps for targeted populations, and initial implementation of promising models and practices in workforce system service delivery infrastructure.