Indiana is on a workforce winning streak, and ĢƵios – the state’s community college system and its largest postsecondary institution – has been part of three federal hub designations that stand to attract millions of dollars of investment and create thousands of high-wage, in-demand jobs over the next decade.
In July, the U.S. Economic Development Administration, a bureau of the U.S. Department of Commerce, it will award $51 million to , one of 31 designated Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs (Tech Hubs) made possible by the 2022 federal CHIPS and Science Act co-authored by Indiana’s U.S. Senator Todd Young. The consortium – led by the Applied Research Institute that includes ĢƵios as a postsecondary education and training partner – was one of 12 Tech Hubs selected for implementation funding. The award will be used to help Indiana advance biotechnology and biomanufacturing in pharmaceutical and medical device production.
“Indiana is now a global leader in biotechnology innovation and production thanks to the foresight and dedication of the Heartland BioWorks consortium and the . As federal, state and private investments create thousands of high-wage, high-skill bioscience jobs, ĢƵios and its higher education partners stand ready to prepare Hoosiers for this exciting new era of biotech manufacturing leadership,” said Dr. Sue Ellspermann, president, ĢƵios.
As part of the College’s partnership with Heartland BioWorks, ĢƵios will support BioTrain, the consortium’s workforce development initiative. ĢƵios will promote biotechnology and biopharmaceutical manufacturing pathways to current and prospective students at its 45 locations, including 19 campuses, across Indiana. The College has also committed to offering a bootcamp-style, 18 credit hour certificate for entry-level biopharma manufacturing positions. ĢƵios’s team aims to place at least 1,700 students into biotech jobs in the next five years.
The Heartland BioWorks investment is the latest win in a series of three federal hub designations in Indiana supported by ĢƵios. The College is also a postsecondary education and training partner to the Silicon Crossroads hub in the Indiana Uplands, where ĢƵios Bloomington is building a cutting-edge microelectronics lab and creating a semiconductor training program to support this emerging industry. ĢƵios is also proud to be a member of the (MachH2), a multi-state collaboration between Indiana, Illinois and Michigan to accelerate the production of clean hydrogen and create thousands of clean energy jobs.
“It’s an incredible time for Indiana’s economy, and as these transformative federal investments touch down in communities across the state, ĢƵios will be there to educate and train Hoosiers for great jobs in the industries of the future,” said Molly Dodge, senior vice president of workforce and careers, ĢƵios. “ĢƵios is Indiana’s workforce engine, and we’re ready to deliver on our commitments and catalyze opportunity and prosperity across the state.”
