Briefing: Life sciences investments
Life sciences education prospects are looking up with the latest wave of grants from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC), totaling more than $4 million for higher education institutions in Central Massachusetts. Earlier this month, the MLSC doled out money to support education efforts at area schools, including Quinsigamond Community College (QCC) in Worcester, Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner, and Framingham State University (FSU). Smaller supply and equipment grants were also issued to high schools.
How will the schools use the money?
The largest of the three grants — $3 million for FSU — will support workforce development and training programs and an ongoing renovation of its life sciences laboratory, a project that was at risk of being scaled back due to state funding cuts.
QCC will use its $499,880 grant to fit, furnish and equip its new Quinsigamond Engineering, Science and Technology (QuEST) Building, which will house its life sciences programs when it opens in 2016. QCC said it will develop new programs to be offered in that building and double enrollment in its STEM programs over the next three years.
Meanwhile, MWCC plans to use its $500,000 to upgrade outdated equipment. That will align it with industry standards for life sciences courses, which are the foundation for the school's biotechnology, natural resources and clinical laboratory science degree programs. The money will also bolster three proposed degree programs in quality and analytical technology, liberal arts and sciences biology and chemistry, slated to be launched in the fall.
What’s in it for business?
In short, talent development. Angus McQuilken, the MLSC's vice president for communications and marketing, said the industry is the fastest-growing sector of the Massachusetts economy. With more than 90,000 people working in the industry here, McQuilken said it's creating jobs faster here than in any other state. The challenge, he added, is creating a pipeline of workers prepared to fill those jobs.
What else does the MLSC have in store?
To date, it has invested $520 million, more than half of its $1 billion goal established in its 10-year Life Sciences Initiative. That includes $330 million in capital projects. Grants are awarded annually, and McQuilken said more will be announced in the coming months to support capital projects and training programs throughout Massachusetts. Similar investments will be made through 2018.
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