San Diego — San Diego State University (SDSU), through its College of Extended Studies and College of Sciences, has been awarded a $4.95 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant that will fund most if not all of the costs for providing education, training, and employment support services to eligible participants working or who want to work in the life sciences and biotechnology industries. These programs include funding for specific BRIDGE program courses offered through BIOCOM Institute, San Diego Workforce Partnership, Miramar College, and San Diego State University.

Funding is available for eligible participants through the Biotechnology Readiness, Immersion, Certification and Degrees for Gainful Employment (BRIDGE) program. This program will provide education, training, and placement services to more than 1,000 participants who meet eligibility requirements including veterans, dislocated and unemployed workers, and incumbent workers within the Greater San Diego region.

“The BRIDGE grant is designed to provide pathways to employment for students in high school to individuals with advanced graduate degrees,” said Joe Shapiro, dean of SDSU’s College of Extended Studies.

“This grant will help veterans, unemployed and underemployed workers, and others who are seeking stable employment in the life sciences and biotechnology industries — key economic drivers for the greater San Diego region.”

Jobs that this grant will prepare individuals for include clinical associate, clinical lab scientist, medical lab technician, medical technologist, laboratory assistant, biostatistician, and regulatory affairs specialist. The programs and services offered through the BRIDGE grant provide multiple entry and exit points for people with different interests and different levels of education, training, and experience.

“Most programs are currently accepting qualified applicants, while others launch this summer,” said program director Jennifer L. Christian. “We encourage students who might be interested in the life sciences and biotech fields to start the application process today so they don’t miss out on this unique opportunity.”

SOURCE: RedOrbit News