BLOOMINGTON – In partnership with the City of Bloomington, Ivy Tech Community College is now accepting applications for participation in the second cohort of the Biomanufacturing Technician Apprenticeship program. Taking place July 12-30 at the Indiana Center for the Life Sciences (ICLS) on the Ivy Tech Bloomington campus, the program is a free, three-week training program that prepares students for high-quality jobs in Bloomington’s robust life sciences manufacturing sector.
The deadline to submit an application for participation has been extended to Saturday, July 10. More information and a link to the application form are available here.
Supported in part with funding from the City’s Recover Forward initiative, the Biomanufacturing Technician Apprenticeship Program was developed in partnership between the Hoosier Hills Career Center, Ivy Tech Center for Workforce Alignment, and area employers as a way to balance hiring needs and workforce skills in the area’s life sciences manufacturing sector. Employer partners include Catalent, Boston Scientific, Baxter, and Cook Medical. Mayor John Hamilton’s plan for Bloomington’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic collapse, Recover Forward is a multi-year plan to rebuild Bloomington in a way that more thoroughly embodies our community’s goals for racial equity, a sustainable and resilient economy, and climate action.
The apprenticeship program curriculum familiarizes students with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) in the production of biopharmaceuticals and medical devices. Students acquire relevant math and technology concepts and skills that are used in the course of biomanufacturing work, and also learn soft skills including interviewing and workplace communication. Students who complete the course earn a certificate and a direct interview for an entry-level position with a local company.
The program graduated its first cohort of 35 students in October 2020, 28 of whom have been hired directly by local employers. The average hiring wage starts at $14–16 and increases with shift differential pay (i.e. overtime and benefits).
“This program, like the Mill Code School, provides state-of-the-art training in relevant job skills to launch residents into promising careers in Bloomington’s thriving new economy,” said Mayor Hamilton. “As our community recovers and rebuilds, we’re excited to partner with Ivy Tech and local employers to equip residents for brighter outcomes–both for individuals and the community as a whole.”
Also supported by Recover Forward, the Mill Code School is currently training its second cohort of students in digital skills, specifically in software development, to access better employment options. Twenty participants in the ten-week program are currently studying IT Administration and will take the CompTIA Network+ exam when they graduate. Additionally, gener8tor, a Code School partner, is currently hosting a hiring event for graduates of both cohorts. For information on the hiring event, visit gener8tor on linkedin here.
The third Code School cohort will launch in early fall. Code School tuition is free and computer experience is not required to enroll. Visit Mill Code School — gener8tor Upskilling for additional information.
