Capital Area Biotechnology Partnership Receives 60,000 State Investment Harrisburg Regional Education Consortium Promoting Advanced Technology Industries Careers

HARRISBURG, Pa., Dec. 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- High school and college students from the Harrisburg area will continue learning about advanced technology careers and curriculum through a special collaboration between several local schools and the commonwealth.

At BioTech Day 2007, hosted by the Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, Community and Economic Development Deputy Secretary Rebecca Bagley announced the allocation of 60,000 through the state's Workforce Leadership Grant Program to continue the efforts of the Capital Area Biotechnology Partnership, a consortium of regional educational institutions focused on preparing local students for careers in biotechnology and related fields.

Bagley discussed workforce development's role in the continued economic success of the commonwealth.

"Governor Rendell understands that Pennsylvania's economic future depends on the state's ability to compete in the world's most dynamic industries and to develop a workforce that can create and build on those industries," Bagley said. "By getting students excited about careers in these high-value fields and giving them the opportunity to be successful, Pennsylvania will continue to be a leader in the global market."

The 60,000 grant will be used to grow and promote the Capital Area Biotechnology Partnership, which is overseen by the Harrisburg University of Science and Technology. The organization's objectives include developing an academic continuum for biotech and related careers; creating seamless transitions for students from the Harrisburg School District, Harrisburg Area Community College and Harrisburg University who are interested in biotech and related fields; and collaborating with business and industry leaders to interact with potential students.

"Fifty years ago, 73 percent of Pennsylvania's jobs were unskilled. Today, the number is 24 percent," Bagley said. "As a commonwealth, we must continue to play a role in preparing for the jobs of the future. Through projects like this, students will get a blueprint of the knowledge they'll need to be successful in the industries that will be important in the next generation."

The Workforce Leadership Grant Program was created to build a pipeline of highly-skilled workers needed to support the existing and emerging industries of a global, technology-based economy. Using the "2 2 2" model (two years of introductory curriculum, two years of intermediate curriculum and two years of advanced curriculum), the program is intended to create partnerships among high schools and colleges and universities to ensure that students can learn industry-specific skills that can easily translate into a career.

"We want Pennsylvania students to use the skills they are learning in the present to make Pennsylvania a better place in the future," Bagley said.

For additional information, visit http://www.newpa.com/ or call 1-866-466-3972. CONTACT: Greg Morgan (717) 783-1116

Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development

CONTACT: Greg Morgan of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and
Economic Development, 1-717-783-1116

Web Site: http://www.newpa.com/
http://www.state.pa.us/