~ The Worker Empowerment Cabinet, the Mayor's Office, and the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council (MassBio) recently convened a summit of life science companies, education and training providers, and community organizations at Southline. The summit was attended by a range of biotech companies, including Alnylam, Biogen, Ginkgo Bioworks, Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, and Vertex.

Mayor Wu addressed the assembly and announced her initiative to place 1,000 Boston residents into good careers in biotech over the next two years. She called on companies to commit to these hires and on the others to recruit, support, and train people to thrive in these jobs. She also expressed the City's commitment to help with curriculum and other elements needed for success.

During the summit there was a discussion of what has been working well so far such as a biotech apprenticeship created by MassBioEd. The Mayor also listened closely to industry representatives and community members describe what is needed to increase the pace and scale of training and placement. Dr. Alicia Sasser Modestino from Northeastern University said that "all these partners will need to work together" in order "to create multiple on ramps and off ramps to training and employment" as well as providing opportunities for candidates to develop essential workplace skills with wraparound support being critical.

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Kendalle Burlin O'Connell from MassBio expressed her enthusiasm for the initiative saying that "Mayor Wu convened an impressive group of leaders...to discuss a topic that is a shared and urgent priority" with "the conversation being focused on solutions and taking collaborative action". MassBio also announced its plan to create a short term training program at Southline.

The Worker Empowerment Cabinet is hopeful that this initiative will be successful in placing 1,000 Boston residents into good careers in biotech over the next two years with all partners working together towards this goal.

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