Delaware Bio Employers, Workforce Development Leaders Highlight Life Science Manufacturing Careers

ORIGINAL SOURCE: Delaware Bio
– New survey underlines significant opportunity –

WILMINGTON 2/22/2022 – A new survey of Delaware life science companies shows the state is poised to take advantage of transformational opportunities in life science manufacturing if it can deliver a talent pipeline to fuel that future growth.

The survey confirms comments made by leading employers during a discussion hosted by the Delaware BioScience Association (Delaware Bio) last week focused on careers producing biopharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical ingredients, and sophisticated instrumentation and diagnostics. Representatives from Agilent Technologies, AstraZeneca and Wilmington Pharmatech shared their current and expected needs for employees to fill important manufacturing and operational roles in their Delaware facilities, rewarding careers often not requiring a 4-year college degree.

The employers also highlighted strategies for recruiting a diverse workforce, including offering excellent compensation and benefits and ongoing training and career development – but each also shared the increasing challenges of filling open roles.

Educational and workforce development officials joined the discussion to elaborate on efforts to better understand employer needs, make smart program investments and educate and engage families and communities on the dynamic career pathways in life science manufacturing.

Results from a survey of Delaware Bio companies released during the February 16 BioBriefing showed that every firm responding has openings in their organization, spanning research, business, or manufacturing positions. While bachelor’s and advanced degrees are still very much in demand, most companies have open roles that only require a high school education, training certificate or a 2-year associates degree. And nearly every company said they would be interested in stepping up training partnerships with the state or an educational institution.[1]

“The discussion and survey results confirm the immense opportunity to ensure Delaware’s economic future is powered by rewarding careers in life science manufacturing,” said Delaware Bio president Michael Fleming. “It is clear that we have to get this right – strengthening partnerships and expanding training programs – or other states surely will.”

“This was a particularly important and timely discussion and survey as we develop a strategy to invest in programs where Delaware has a competitive advantage and the life science sector is clearly one of those priority areas,” said Scott Malfitano, chair of the Delaware Workforce Development Board. “It is critical that we align our training with what companies need and the sectors where our state can lead well into the future – we are fortunate to have a thriving bioscience sector providing great careers, some that don’t require a college degree, and we need to ensure that growth continues.”

Participants in the BioBriefing

Bryan Fisher | Delaware Sites General Manager | Agilent Technologies
Dr. Feng Han | Senior Vice President of Operations | Wilmington Pharmatech
Diane Humenik | Director, Human Resources Business Partner | AstraZeneca
Joseph Jones | Superintendent | New Castle County Vo-Tech School District
Dr. Katherine Lakofsky | Director, Workforce Development & Community Education | Delaware Technical Community College
Scott Malfitano | Chair | Delaware Workforce Development Board

More survey results

• More than half (11) of companies responding have open roles requiring only high school diploma or a training certificate, and the same number say they hire based on skills vs. degrees
• 10-25 percent of new hires for six companies will be roles needing a 2-year degree
• 10 companies reported paying $60-70,000 for manufacturing roles with two paying over $80,000

Select survey verbatim

Response to question: If you were in charge of Delaware's workforce training, what would you do to make this the best place on the planet for a talented workforce in your industry?

“Get more direct business involvement with educators and students”

“Development of programs/partnership for training chemical manufacturing operators”

“Coordination between industry and educational institutions on training”

“More real world experience, project and self-management skills

“Create more intern positions as part of the training program”

“Have all the universities respond better to market changes and local needs”

“Partner with business to identify needed skills”
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[1] The survey was fielded from December 2021 to January 2022 and completed by 18 companies ranging in size from 5 to more than 200 employees.