FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 10, 2009

Science Boot Camp to retrain Fort Monmouth workers
Private industry has a need for workers 
familiar with government contracts

FREEHOLD – The executive committee of “Bio-1,” a regional workforce development grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, has approved $200,000 in funding to develop a Science Boot Camp for Fort Monmouth workers who choose not to move to Maryland when the fort closes.

The proposal is the result of a partnership between the Monmouth County Workforce Investment Board (WIB), the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development and Brookdale Community College, Lincroft. The college is currently working on curriculum development, and the first class is expected to begin in September.

Recruitment for this 40-hour course will target procurement, information technology, regulatory and project management professionals who are employed by the federal government at Fort Monmouth and who have experience working with federal contracts, budgeting and regulations. Their talents and skills are relevant to the biotechnology, biopharmaceutical and medical device industries, but they do not have a command of the underlying science that supports those industries.
 
The Bio-1 executive committee reported that, due to the economy, there is renewed interest on the part of many biotech companies in seeking Department of Defense (DOD) contracts.  Familiarity with DOD regulations, ability to write grants and implement programs, and experience in managing DOD contracts will be a great asset for these workers in securing employment in private industry.

The boot camp will cover basic science, which is the driving force behind the biotechnology and biopharmaceutical and medical device industries. The Science Boot Camp will provide students with the language to understand the current literature and communicate with the scientists. It will include a look at current and future developments as well as needs in the industry.

The program will include intensive industry specific terminology, case studies in drug development and will feature guest lecturers from the field. The Science Boot Camp will provide an opportunity to learn from area experts, obtain information about resources and obtain one-on-one mentoring.

For more information, please contact the Fort Monmouth Resource Center at (732) 935-5965, or the Monmouth County One-Stop Career Center at (732) 683-8850 ext. 2411

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