News Briefs
Life-sciences bill in Mass. a boon for CTE schools
Feb 28, 2008 1:28 PM
High tech has been part of career and technical education curricula for a generation, and a funding bill working its way through the Massachusetts legislature should kick it up a few more notches, too. Biotechnology training at the high school level will get a big boost from a share of a $1 billion life-sciences bill that aims to create jobs and cure diseases through stem-cell and other research investments. Included is $30 million in grants for vocational and technical schools to upgrade equipment to properly train students for life-sciences careers. No advanced degrees will be required for graduates to work as technicians in biotech companies, hospitals, universities and medical device firms.
Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick estimates the life-sciences initiative would generate some 250,000 new jobs, including those available to CTE grads, over the next decade. The state is already considered the world leader in the life-sciences industry.
Associated Press, Feb. 15
