Life Sciences Workforce Initiative Launched in Boston

At the opening of the BIO International Convention, Mayor Michelle Wu announced a new City workforce initiative to train and employ Boston residents in life sciences careers. With recent industry reports from the MassBio and MassBioEd highlighting continued job growth in the industry, Mayor Wu announced her goal to help 1,000 Boston residents get trained and hired into the industry by the end of 2025. Mayor Wu also announced the release of an initial grant application round of $4 million to support the goal, funded through the City’s Neighborhood Jobs Trust (NJT) and the federal American Rescue Plan (ARP).

“As Mayor, my goal is to make Boston the best place in the world to start and grow a life sciences company—to bring even more life-saving innovations and opportunities to life,” said Mayor Wu. “With tremendous support from industry, training providers, and higher education partners, this initiative will change the way companies hire in our region by connecting them with the talented workforce that lives in our neighborhoods.”

The City funding will prioritize training programs that secure internship and hiring commitments from life sciences companies, train for specific in-demand industry positions, and support residents without four-year degrees, including workers of color, women and immigrants, who are underrepresented in the industry today. The grant round will also establish an intermediary organization to provide additional support to workers, training providers, and employers, in the hope of making inclusive employment pathways a permanent fixture of the regional industry. (Source: City of Boston Website, 05 June, 2023)