Northeastern University and Middlesex Community College Awarded Pathmaker Program Grants

BOSTON — Today, Interim Economic Development Secretary Ashley Stolba, Labor & Workforce Secretary Lauren Jones, and Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) President and CEO Kirk Taylor, MD, joined life sciences and workforce leaders to celebrate more than $7.2 million in recent Pathmaker awards, which have helped create 656 life sciences training opportunities across Massachusetts. The MLSC Pathmaker program provides funding to build and scale career pathways that effectively prepare Massachusetts residents for high-demand career opportunities in the life sciences. 

“Creating sustainable jobs that will benefit our communities across the state has always been a key focus of our administration,” said Interim Secretary of Economic Development Ashley Stolba, who serves as co-chair of the MLSC’s Board of Directors. “Through impactful initiatives such as the Pathmaker program, we will continue to strengthen Massachusetts’ position as the national leader of economic growth and development.” 

“Massachusetts is a global hub of innovation dedicated to developing diverse talent to meet the needs of the life sciences industry,” said Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Lauren Jones. “The Healey-Driscoll Administration appreciates collaborating with MLSC Pathmaker grantees and partners to expand access to training, close workforce skills gaps, and create pathways for untapped talent to pursue rewarding careers in the life sciences across the Commonwealth.” 

MLSC announced the latest round of Pathmaker awards during a celebration at the ArLab, a state-of-the-art career institute hosted by JVS Boston and Quincy College with support from MLSC funding. ArLab provides hands-on skill development that equips people for careers in healthcare and biotechnology. In addition to receiving Pathmaker funding, JVS Boston and other institutions celebrated today have received more than $17.3 million in MLSC capital investments to advance workforce development and additional funds to support experiential learning opportunities.

“Seeing the career journeys of graduates that have come out of the Pathmaker program so far has been truly inspiring,” said MLSC President and CEO Kirk Taylor, MD. “The Life Sciences Center is honored to collaborate with the Healey-Driscoll Administration, our training organizations, and industry partners to help prepare Massachusetts residents for high-demand careers in the life sciences.”

Pathmaker was announced in June 2023 at the BIO International Convention as part of the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s launch of MassTalent, a new strategy for connecting employers to skilled, diverse workers in Massachusetts. Pathmaker aims to accelerate career entry by condensing training program timelines, harmonizing core competencies creating alignment between industry and training providers, branding training programs to signal to companies that these programs are producing ready-to-hire candidates for entry-level roles, and expanding outreach about training/career opportunities with a strong DE&I focus targeting underrepresented communities.

Pathmaker grew out of an existing group of successful partnerships between life sciences companies and training providers. It leverages Massachusetts’ robust workforce development resources and builds on prior investments made by the Center and other leaders in the ecosystem, including the state legislature.

Among the award recipients were BACC members Northeastern University and Middlesex Community College, who were recognized during today's visit.

Middlesex Community College 

Award: $1,012,438
Training Seats:  90 

Industry-aligned modules covering critical technical, mechanical and soft skills necessary for successful employment in the high demand in the Medtech/Advanced Manufacturing industry. 

Northeastern University 

Award: $664,021
Training Seats: 75

Program provides hands-on training in the key areas of protein therapeutic manufacturing and cell/gene therapy manufacturing. Participants will learn the basics of manufacturing these products with an emphasis on current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP). 

See the full list of recipients here.