Agency Details:

Biotech Partners

The Biotech Partners mission is to help youth from populations underrepresented in the sciences navigate the worlds of work, school and life through a biotechnology-focused curriculum, including job training and internships, that provides access to fulfilling well-paid careers in bioscience and increases opportunities for higher education.

Description:
Biotech Partners provides an entry-level biotechnology education and training program dedicated to supporting the San Francisco Bay Area’s robust bioscience industry while providing valuable working skills for local young people.

Biotech Partners has long been recognized as a model for connecting youth who are under-represented in the sciences to the world of biotechnology. A non-profit organization, Biotech Partners owes its success to strong collaboration among local biotechnology companies, secondary school and community college districts, a dedicated core staff and most importantly, the students and their families.

The Biotech Partners program consists of a specialized science and technology curriculum covering 11th grade through community college, paid summer internships for high school students, year round co-op jobs for community college participants, and support services to help each student achieve success.

This comprehensive approach prepares students for high-paying technical positions in the bioscience industry through classroom study and lab practice, combined with hands-on experience at regional biotech, healthcare and government laboratory settings.

Over 900 students have been placed in internships and co-op work positions through the Biotech Partners program. Among program graduates desiring work in biotechnology after earning their certificate, 100% have found and retained full-time positions.

History:
Established in 1993 as part of a development agreement between Bayer HealthCare and the City of Berkeley, Biotech Partners’ work today involves over 35 corporate, government, education and industry partners. The program is expanding throughout the Bay Area and is currently implemented at Berkeley High School, Oakland Technical High School, and the Peralta Community College District. Completion of the program leads to a Certificate of Achievement in Bioscience.

Corporations, foundations and individuals fund Biotech Partners. The organization has been featured in The New York Times, on NBC Nightly News and in numerous reports on urban youth education and workforce development.

Since its inception, Biotech Partners has focused on helping youth successfully navigate the world of work, school and life while specifically training them for technical positions in bioscience, a growing industry that offers well-paid jobs and real opportunities for career advancement and continued education.

Biotech Partners is managed by a six-person staff that provides support to 150-200 students annually. An annual review by teachers, industry representatives and staff guides curriculum and program development to ensure that the training is aligned with trends in biotechnology and regional workforce development.

The organization is governed by a 13-person board of directors with substantial leadership experience in education, bioscience, labor, health and community development, and human resources, with additional student representatives from each school.

Contact people:

Sakura Lee, Program Manager, (phone), (email) Rochelle Conner, Administrative Assistant, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (510) 705-5237

Address:

P.O. Box 2186 Berkeley, CA 94702

Web Site: http://www.BiotechPartners.org

Directions:

We are located near the University Avenue entrance to I-80 on the Bayer Campus on 7th St. & Dwight Way in Berkeley. From Oakland/San Jose Area: Take I-880 North Merge onto I-80 East towards Sacramento Exit at Ashby Ave. ( East), SR-13 Turn. . . (more)   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: Ashby Ave BART,   Walk distance (in minutes): 30   Nearest Bus Stop: 7th St. and Parker St, Berkeley, 2 min minute walk

Last updated on October 7, 2009