Maryland Tech Council, the state’s largest technology and life sciences trade association, announced Tuesday it received $2.5 million in state funding to increase the area’s life sciences workforce through its BioHub Maryland program. The trade association’s mission is to connect students with careers in life sciences with the aim of making Maryland the top innovation economy for technology and life sciences in the nation.
BioHub Maryland offers a number of resources for students pursuing life science careers. Its website features more than 800 job and internship postings, a career roadmap for students across education levels, a guide to workforce training programs and more. The initiative hopes to fill workforce gaps in Maryland’s growing life sciences sector.
Maryland already has an impressive reputation as a source of life science talent. According to a recent Milken Institute Report, the life sciences industry contributes to more than 54,000 high-paying jobs in the state. There are also over 2,700 life science firms and more than 500 biotech companies in Maryland, making it one of the largest hubs for the life sciences industry in the country.
“An exceptional life science workforce is fundamental to discovering and manufacturing cures and treatments for cancer and other diseases,” Maryland Tech Council CEO Marty Rosendale said in a statement. “BioHub Maryland seeks to grow our life science workforce by engaging talent from diverse educational backgrounds and demonstrating the immense value of a biotech career in Maryland. We commend Governor [Larry] Hogan for his game-changing commitment to stand with cancer patients and their families, and thank the Maryland General Assembly for supporting these funds in the fiscal year 2023 budget.”
The new funding brings BioHub Maryland’s total capital raises this year to nearly $5 million, following $2.45 million in federal funding with support from Senator Chris Van Hollen.
The funds will be used to identify local workforce gaps in the industry and create stronger demand for life science careers. BioHub Maryland plans to focus specifically on bringing those without higher degrees into the industry through its workforce training initiatives.
