A state biohealth workforce project aims to drive interest in the field, provide specialized training, fill job openings with skilled workers and more.
That’s according to Mark Thomas, chief strategy officer for Madison Area Technical College and leader of the Actualizing Biohealth Career Pathways project, one of several key initiatives getting funding through the state Tech Hub effort.
He spoke yesterday during a press conference at Milwaukee Area Technical College celebrating the state’s Tech Hub designation recently landing $49 million in federal funding. The ABC Pathways effort is getting $12.5 million in federal dollars and $1.5 million in state matching funds, and aims to train and place 2,000 workers in biohealth jobs within five years.
Project partners — including both technical colleges, the Universities of Wisconsin, the Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin and Employ Milwaukee — will conduct “career interest marketing efforts” along with training programs and employer matchmaking within the biohealth industry.
“These are jobs in a variety of imaging technologies, like radiological technologies, X-rays, MRIs … laboratory technicians, and CNC operators,” he said. “CNC, meaning computer numerical control. These are the people who are highly skilled at programming and maintaining the digital technologies that make our advanced biohealth manufacturing equipment work.”
The scope of the project was established with help from industry and academic partners including GE Healthcare, UW Health, Rockwell Automation, Exact Sciences, Accuray, Plexus, the Medical College of Wisconsin and others, Thomas said.
Along with getting more young people to explore postsecondary education options related to biohealth, the project will also support existing workers in the industry “who wish to enhance their skills” and advance their careers.
Meanwhile, BioForward Wisconsin CEO Lisa Johnson said the state “must take action” to leverage the opportunities presented by the federal Tech Hub designation.
“It’s these opportunities that demonstrate to the nation what we already know,” she said yesterday. “Look to Wisconsin to build and secure this nation. Wisconsin has many strengths in key industries, from our water, our energy, food and beverage, agriculture, defense manufacturing, and our advanced precision manufacturers that our biohealth industry is dependent upon.”
