Millions of dollars supporting education of future scientists & attracting STEM professionals to DE

ORIGINAL SOURCE: WDEL News

Programs facilitating life science education and training for the next generation were announced today at the Delaware Life Science Caucus at EastSide Charter School’s new Chemours STEM Hub.

Industry, educators and government worked together to support current and future needs for Delaware's STEM community.

A $3 million, three-year pilot program to recruit and educate about laboratory and biomanufacturing skills was backed largely by U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons.

Carper says that a focus of his has been strengthening and nurturing families and their children. 

"I want to make sure that kids have a loving, nurturing family to grow up in and an education to be able to support their families," Carper says. 

Bringing successful businesses to Delaware was highly emphasized throughout the meeting and by Carper, saying that STEM is a huge part of our future. 

Other programs aspire to attract new university graduate to STEM companies in our state by supporting portions of college loan payments.

A press release from Delaware BioScience Association lists the programs and proposals announced today:

• Launch of the Delaware Center for Life Science Education and Training. The new organization will serve as a regional catalyst for the next generation of life science talent at every level, partnering with industry, educators and government to address current and future employer needs.  
• A $3 million, three-year pilot program to recruit and train individuals in basic laboratory and advanced and biomanufacturing skills. Key initial funding for the innovative pilot comes from a $2.1 million Congressionally Directed Spending grant supported by US Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons. The three-year pilot also has the support of the state, the Delaware BioScience Association and additional private financial and in-kind support.
• Introduction of the “DE-STAR” Act. The legislation, HB 435, introduced by Reps. Krista Griffith, Mike Smith and Sen. Spiros Mantzavinos, creates the 'Delaware STEM Talent Advancement and Retention' program to attract and retain new university graduates with Delaware STEM employers by supporting a portion of their college loan payments. This pilot effort will receive additional state and private funding to support individual credits of up to $6000."

A number of programs have been announced two years after a report by the Delaware BioScience Association and the Delaware Prosperity Partnership showed a need to invest in the future life science industry.

"The simple goal of these initiatives is to make Delaware the very best place in the world for employers to find life science talent at every level – from advanced manufacturing operators to PhDs,” said Michael Fleming, Delaware Bio President and CEO. “These new efforts will attract talent and companies of all sizes, strengthen our state’s manufacturing capability, boost regional economic growth and advance our national security.”

Carper supported the programs and ones like these throughout his tenure in government. 

"One of the big things that I hear from employers around the state is that we need to make sure that we're developing the next generation of workers," Carper says. "If we do that, businesses will be successful, our state will be successful and we will all be better off."