MassBio Breaks Ground on 4,000-Square-Foot ‘Bioversity’ Workforce Training Center in Dorchester

Jul 25, 2023

Inaugural workforce training facility to develop new career pathways for residents entering life sciences industry

(Left to right) Boston City Councilor Frank Baker’s Chief of Staff Amanda Curley, State Rep. Robert Consalvo, Boston City Councilor Frank Baker, City of Boston Chief of Worker Empowerment Trinh Nguyen, Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester Senior VP of Operations Mike Joyce, Bioversity Executive Director Zach Stanley, MassBio President & CEO Kendalle Burlin O’Connell, Massachusetts Secretary of Labor & Workforce Development Lauren Jones, NECI President & CEO Jenn Azar, The Richmond Group President & CEO Dave Mello, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences School of Professional Studies Dean Carol Stuckey and Beacon Capital Partners’ Beacon Life Science Managing Director Alan Koder at the groundbreaking for Bioversity July 25, 2023. (Photo by John Wilcox)

BOSTON, MA (July 25, 2023) – MassBio today celebrated the official groundbreaking of Bioversity‘s first workforce training center at Southline Boston in Dorchester with community partners, key funders, city and state leaders, and project developers in attendance.

The workforce training center, scheduled to open in January 2024, plans to graduate its first 100 people next year into entry-level scientific operations jobs with local life sciences companies that will be a gateway to lifelong careers, educational attainment and economic opportunity.

The groundbreaking was emceed by Bioversity Executive Director Zach Stanley and included remarks from MassBio President & CEO Kendalle Burlin O’Connell, Boston City Councilor Frank Baker, City of Boston Chief of Worker Empowerment Trinh Nguyen, Massachusetts Secretary of Labor & Workforce Development Lauren Jones, Beacon Capital Partners’ Beacon Life Science Managing Director Alan Koder, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences School of Professional Studies Dean Carol Stuckey, NECI President & CEO Jenn Azar and Mike Joyce of the Boys & Girls Club of Dorchester.

The programs at Bioversity will be offered at no cost to learners, who will receive a stipend to offset lost work hours during the eight-week program. Bioversity will offer graduates career placement resources to help get them into the life sciences workforce after graduation.

For a full link to photos from today’s event please click here (Photo Credit: John Wilcox).


About MassBio

MassBio’s mission is to advance Massachusetts’ leadership in the life sciences to grow the industry, add value to the healthcare system, and improve patient lives. MassBio represents the premier global life sciences and healthcare hub, with 1,600+ members dedicated to preventing, treating, and curing diseases through transformative science and technology that brings value and hope to patients. Founded in 1985, MassBio works to advance policy and promote education, while providing member programs, events, industry information, and services for the #1 life sciences cluster in the world.

About Bioversity

Bioversity is a Massachusetts incorporated non-profit with pending 501c3 status launched by MassBio. It was formed to implement industry-aligned, expanded workforce training initiatives. Bioversity blazes training pathways and creates employer connections for underrepresented populations and individuals traditionally left out of the life sciences to quickly propel them into well-paying jobs and lifelong careers. We aspire to an equitable life sciences industry that reflects the patient communities it serves and delivers career opportunities to all who want them. Learn more at https://bioversityma.org/about-bioversity/.

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