FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 26, 2009

Science Boot Camp to begin Sept. 22
40-hour program will retrain Fort Monmouth workers

HAZLET – Monmouth County has set the dates and curriculum for a Science Boot Camp to assist Fort Monmouth workers who choose not to move to Maryland when the fort closes. The course begins Sept. 22 and will run from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. each Tuesday and Thursday through Nov 17 at Brookdale Community College’s Hazlet campus.

The 40-hour program has been designed for 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.

“These workers possess talents and skills that we want to keep in Monmouth County,” Freeholder Deputy Director John D’Amico said. “Their skills are relevant to the industries that are well-suited to Monmouth County’s emerging tech industries. Biotechnology, biopharmaceutical and medical device industries need workers with business skill and the Boot camp is an opportunity for these workers to learn the underlying science that supports those industries.”

Current Fort Monmouth employees interested in the Science Boot Camp are eligible to sign up for the eight-week program and should contact the Monmouth County One-Stop Career Center by calling (732) 683-8850 ext. 2411,or by email to carolyn.ellington@dol.state.nj.us.

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

The course 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 executive committee of “Bio-1,” a regional workforce development secured a $200,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to develop the Science Boot Camp.

Earlier this year, 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.

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