NJ Pathway Happening: NJBioFutures Event Unites Industry and Education Leaders to Strengthen the Workforce Development Plan for the state’s Cell and Gene Therapy Industry
Raritan Valley Community College, Mercer County Community College, Middlesex College
New Jersey’s life sciences and biomanufacturing workforce is getting a major boost, thanks to a growing collaboration between industry leaders and community colleges. At the recent NJBioFutures Summit Meeting, hosted by Bristol-Myers Squibb in Summit, NJ, stakeholders came together to advance workforce development efforts and create new career pathways for students.
Expanding Career Opportunities in Life Sciences
NJBioFutures is a groundbreaking coalition designed to equip students with the skills needed for high-demand roles in cell and gene therapeutics. Through cutting-edge training programs, hands-on learning experiences, and industry-responsive curricula, New Jersey community colleges are preparing the next generation of biotech professionals for high-paying careers in this rapidly growing sector.
At the summit, representatives from Johnson & Johnson, Novartis, Quva Pharmaceuticals, and Tevogen joined forces with Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC), Middlesex College (MC), and Mercer County Community College (MCCC) to highlight the expanded training and certification programs now available to students. These programs provide both short- and long-term training in cell and gene therapy biomanufacturing, biotechnology, and biopharmaceuticals.
Recognizing Industry Leaders & Workforce Champions
The event also celebrated key contributors in workforce development:
- Bob Bowden, Senior Director, CAR-T Manufacturing, Johnson & Johnson, received the Visionary Impact Award for his leadership in advocating for skilled talent in this emerging career field.
- Ken Locke, Senior Vice President, Technical Operations, and Joanna Schmidt, Associate Director – Scientific Operations, both from Carisma Therapeutics, were honored with the Beacon of Generosity Award for their support of workforce initiatives.
Strengthening the Workforce Pipeline
“This event showcases the essential collaboration between industry experts and educators in preparing a skilled workforce for the future of cell and gene therapy,” said Catherine Starghill, Vice President, New Jersey Council of County Colleges. “The dedication shown in this ecosystem that we created will help solidify New Jersey’s role as a leader in biomanufacturing innovation and talent development.”
“We take great pride in the network of educators and industry collaborators built through the NJ Pathways to Career Opportunities initiative, which laid the groundwork for NJBioFutures,” said Michael McDonough, President, Raritan Valley Community College. “This initiative is cultivating a strong talent pipeline that directly supports the evolving workforce demands of the life sciences and biomanufacturing industries.”
A Major Investment in the Future
The event follows the launch of NJBioFutures earlier this month, which was marked by a $1 million contribution from Johnson & Johnson. As NJBioFutures continues to expand, these collaborations between academia and industry will be critical in positioning New Jersey at the forefront of workforce development in cell and gene therapy.
Learn more about NJBioFutures at: njbiofutures.org
