News Details
GlaxoSmithKline and The Philadelphia Foundation invest in biotechnology training program for Philadelphia students
12/10/12
PHILADELPHIA -- WorkReady Philadelphia is launching a
biotechnology-focused education program, called Quest, for 25 high school
juniors from Roxborough and Lincoln High Schools with funding provided by
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and The Philadelphia Foundation. GSK and The Foundation
collectively pledged $1 million dollars last spring to advance career and
economic opportunities for young Philadelphians. In addition to the Quest
program, the funds enabled more than 500 young people to participate in
WorkReady opportunities in summer 2012. (Mayor Nutter's Announcement of the
funding).
The program, managed by the Philadelphia Academies, is
scheduled to launch in January 2013.
"The jobs of tomorrow will rely even more on the skills
derived from STEM (Science, Technology, Education and Math) education," said
Mary Linda Andrews, Director, Community Partnerships, GlaxoSmithKline. "We are
delighted to partner with The Philadelphia Foundation on the Quest program that
will inspire high school students and lay the groundwork for science careers."
The program will introduce students to the biotechnology
field -- one of the fastest growing, industries in the country with an expected
job growth rate of 31 percent from 2010 to 2020 -- according to the Bureau of
Labor Statistics. Quest will build 21st century skills, provide work
experiences, and connect students to college mentors through laboratory-based
educational programs focused on biotechnology science applications and clinical
molecular diagnostics. The capstone of this effort is a six-week paid summer
internship experience that provides students with real-world opportunities in
the biotechnology field.
The Quest program, like all examples of the WorkReady
Industry Pipeline program model, relies on collaboration between a set of key
local organizations, each dedicated to improving educational and career
opportunities for Philadelphia youth. Quest partners are:
- Philadelphia Academies is the lead partner and will manage all program
logistics and coordinate services
- Roxborough
and Lincoln High Schools have assisted in identifying the 25 youth who will
participate in Quest, will provide rigorous math and science curriculum to
participants, and will provide teacher professional development aligned with
the program
- District
1199C Training & Upgrading Fund will provide academic support through STEM
curriculum focused on improving knowledge, skills, and attitudes toward
biotechnology careers. District 1199C will also facilitate after school
programming twice a week and engage mentors from the industry to assist with
student projects.
- Thomas
Jefferson University will identify 10 college mentors who are currently
enrolled in the University's bio-technology program to work with pipeline
program participants. In addition to mentoring, the college students will
provide program participants with academic support and shadowing opportunities
in research labs
- The University
City Science Center will host students for summer internships
As the managing partner of WorkReady, the Philadelphia Youth
Network will oversee implementation of the model.
"We are excited about the possibilities that this extensive
partnership will create for the youth of our city," said R. Andrew Swinney,
president of The Philadelphia Foundation. "Philadelphia already is a leader in
the healthcare and biotechnology fields. This Industry Pipeline program will
create a pool of qualified future employees, and allow us to foster increased
interest among Philadelphia youth in key industries that are beneficial to our
city."
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About GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline is one of the world's leading research-based
pharmaceutical and healthcare companies. For further information go to
us.gsk.com, follow GSK on twitter.com/GSKUS or visit the GSK blog:
www.morethanmedicine.us.gsk.com/blog
About The Philadelphia Foundation
Since 1918, The Philadelphia Foundation has linked those
with financial resources to those who serve societal needs. It is the region's
community foundation, serving Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and
Philadelphia counties. For more information, visit www.philafound.org.
About WorkReady Philadelphia
WorkReady Philadelphia is the city's youth workforce
preparation system that is supported by blended investments from public and
private sources, including: federal, state and city dollars; support from
Greater Philadelphia employers; grants from local and national philanthropies;
and gifts from individuals. WorkReady is
overseen by the Philadelphia Council for College and Career Success, a
subcommittee of Philadelphia Works, Inc., and is managed by the Philadelphia
Youth Network (PYN). PYN works with over 50 organizations to operate WorkReady
programs across the city. Learn more at
www.pyninc.org/workready/.
