“ I don ’ t like reinventing the wheel , especially if people have already done a lot of the ground work ,” she said . “ It ’ s like Biotility was five or six years ahead of us in having the conversations with industry , academia and high schools about the skillsets these technicians should have .”
Similarly , in Texas , the BACE is becoming recognized as an essential component for workforce growth . Dr . Linnea Fletcher , department chair of biotechnology at Austin Community College and executive director of the AC2 Bio-Link Regional Center , introduced the exam in Texas this year .
Fletcher has seen high school students win jobs over college students because they knew proper laboratory techniques . She is hopeful to see the widespread adoption of BACE because of the career options it affords those with the credential .
“ The value of BACE is that it has been industry validated in other states , said Fletcher . “ It serves as a benchmark for students on their career pathway and , if we get this widely accepted , it will be valuable for students transferring into a two- or four-year school and private industry in Texas or elsewhere .”
With growing momentum , Biotility has already set its sights on international expansion – Brazil – further turning heads to Florida and The Corridor .
“ In biotech , there has to be a laboratory component ,” said Fletcher . “ I was really impressed by the level of detail that was embedded in that laboratory portion [ of the BACE ]. Plus , the other thing I was really excited about was how much regulatory information was in the test . Even in an entry level position , you have to know all the regulations .”
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