A Public-Private Partnership Strategy for Workforce Training in Cell and Gene Therapy Manufacturing

This project focuses on the refinement of a recently developed hybrid curriculum in cell and gene therapy based on industry feedback and establishment of a scholarship program to develop BIPOC talent in cell and gene therapy manufacturing.

Industry Need

The biomanufacturing industry could benefit from industry-forward training programs that will enable learners to enter and advance in careers in biomanufacturing and will teach the knowledge and skills most valuable to employers.

Approach

This project models a public-private partnership approach to workforce training in cell and gene therapy biomanufacturing. UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education will offer a program that will combine foundational knowledge of cell and gene therapies delivered online, with hands-on training in biomanufacturing skills and processes.

Evaluation and feedback from industry partners will ensure the relevance of the curriculum to manufacturing roles.
The program also aims to develop BIPOC talent in cell and gene manufacturing through scholarships that fund participation in the training program and to sustain the scholarship program through industry partnerships.

Impacts

A quality, industry-forward training program that will enable learners to enter and advance in careers in biomanufacturing

The training program will establish sharable best practices that can be leveraged to replicate public-private partnership models for addressing ongoing challenges and needs in workforce development.

Shareable best practices

Value Statement/Outcomes

This project models a public-private partnership approach to workforce training in biomanufacturing that will yield shareable best practices for others striving to build such partnerships. The project includes academic, industry and nonprofit collaborators that bring unique perspectives and value to the project and broaden its impact through the extensive networks of each partner organization. Working across academic institutions will expand the capacity of each institution to provide relevant workforce training for the biopharmaceutical industry. This project should result in a quality, industry-forward training program that will enable learners to enter and advance in careers in biomanufacturing and to gain knowledge and skills that will be of value to employers in the biomanufacturing sector.

Outputs/Deliverables

Developed and delivered a comprehensive Cell and Gene Therapy Manufacturing training program, including a 30-hour online course series and a 5-day in-person bootcamp with hands-on exposure to CAR-T manufacturing processes and GMP practices.

Established a public-private partnership model involving UC Davis, Solano Community College, Cytiva, and Lilly to design and implement industry-relevant curriculum and provide specialized equipment and instruction.

Implemented a scholarship initiative, funding participation for 10 community college students to help lower barriers to entry into cell and gene therapy manufacturing careers.

Strengthened workforce pathways by informing and enhancing Solano Community College’s Cell and Gene Therapy Certificate program, creating a sustainable, low-cost training option for future technicians.