MassBioEd News
May 27, 2025
The Massachusetts Biotechnology Education Foundation (MassBioEd) today announced that it has been awarded a $300,000 grant to establish a Life Sciences Career Hub for Biomanufacturing in Central Massachusetts in partnership with the Massachusetts Biomedical Initiative (MBI). Combining the biomanufacturing career awareness and access initiatives of MassBioEd and MBI, the project aims to ensure that Massachusetts and, through applying this model, the U.S. have the strongest biopharmaceutical workforce globally by developing the industry’s talent pipeline and rising to meet its evolving workforce needs. The grant comes from the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL).
“To meet the industry’s future talent needs, we need to find innovative ways to reach new talent and offer them pathways to begin their careers in the industry,” said John Balchunas, NIIMBL Workforce Director. “This project will provide new tools to help us do that.”
“Massachusetts continues to maintain its leading edge in the life sciences because of its talented workforce that supports innovation at every step of research, development, and commercialization,” said Sunny Schwartz, CEO of MassBioEd. “We are proud to partner with MBI to deepen Central Massachusetts’ reputation and reach as a global biomanufacturing hub by forging critical connections between local employers and the skilled employees they need.”
Designed to generate awareness among low-income individuals to build a dynamic life sciences workforce, the Life Sciences Career Hub will provide industry knowledge, job market information and professional skills training, as well as offer access to job opportunities and education and training programs. The initiative will connect local companies in Central Massachusetts with a new pool of job candidates through targeted, relevant media campaigns, virtual and live workshops, and direct career coaching to job seekers. Supported by multiple employers and schools committed to broadening interest in and access to biomanufacturing careers, the program will serve as a model that can be replicated in other regions and states.
To support the mission of this project, MassBioEd also recently launched a new Career Hub website funded through the generosity of an anonymous private donor. This vast resource offers up-to-date information on career, education and training opportunities in the life sciences, helping users understand and navigate careers in the life sciences. The comprehensive, interactive database includes an overview of the different employment sectors in the life sciences, current job descriptions, job requisites, and higher education pathways and training programs.
“Building a strong pipeline of talent begins with ensuring that people who want to enter the life sciences field have the tools and resources they need to connect with a career they love,” said Sunny Schwartz. “Our new Career Hub website will help educators, advisors, students, and job seekers alike discover education, training, and job opportunities in Massachusetts, while providing useful insight into the skills needed for different roles in the sector.”
The website has been designed to be easily used by students, teachers, and guidance counselors to support young people in making informed education and career decisions. Serving as an invaluable resource to assist college students, college advisors, career coaches, career starters, and career changers, the Career Hub website is furthering the mission of MassBioEd to engage educators, inspire students, and help individuals find pathways into new careers.
The Career Hub website can be found at https://careerhub.massbioed.org/.
About MassBioEd:
Our mission is to build a sustainable life sciences workforce in the region through educational programs that engage and excite teachers, inspire and propel students, and illuminate the pathway from the classroom to career.