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A New Home for the NCBW 5
The NCBW moved into its
new home - called “525 at
Vine”- in 2014. The towering
new biotechnology complex
is shown at right, along with
the front door, the interior plus
the spacious atrium hosting a
national meeting of the c3bc.
Journey of the NCBW CONTENTS
»»p.6 PHASE ONE 2004 - 2008
Originally funded by the US Department of Labor, the
»»p.8 »»p.10 NCBW’s innovative and collaborative strategy helped thou-
sands of workers and students learn about - and choose -
Austin Community College careers in biotechnology with good pay and strong poten-
tial for themselves and the nation.
Biomanufacturing companies hire ACC students from required internships PHASE TWO 2008 - 2012
Extending beyond its original grant period, the NCBW
»»p.18 “WE HAVE A MUCH HIGHER continued its work expanding the biotech workforce as an
RETENTION RATE WITH ACC affiliate of BioNetwork, forging more partnerships and pro-
STUDENTS. THEY KNOW WHAT grams, including the successful SciTech Lecture series.
THEY’RE GETTING INTO AND Hosting - and highlighting - President Obama’s commit-
THEY COME BETTER PREPARED.” ment to community college education, the NCBW was
positioned for a new proactive phase.
Josh Combs, Ph.D, Vice President Manufacturing, XBiotech PHASE THREE 2012 - 2016
Forsyth Tech, with the NCBW, was designated leader of the
new Community College Consortium for Biosciences Cre-
dentials (c3bc), created by a $15 million DOL grant in 2012.
This national partnership of twelve community colleges
from across the nation created links with more partners
in education, industry, the community and government to
accomplish numerous goals and advance the biotechnology
workforce, especially by creating industry-validated skill
standards common to specific industry sectors.
