BioHub Maryland, an initiative aimed at accelerating the life sciences sector in the state, officially opened its new biopharmaceutical workforce training center on October 24 at 9808 Medical Center Drive in Rockville. The event featured Maryland Lt. Governor Aruna Miller and Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, along with leaders from the life sciences industry.
Situated in one of the country’s premier life sciences hubs, the 8,200-square-foot BioHub Maryland Training and Education Center in Montgomery County is designed to create career opportunities for Maryland residents while fostering a diverse and skilled workforce to enhance the state’s global leadership in life sciences.
The center offers hands-on technical training for current life sciences professionals, military veterans, and Maryland residents without college degrees. The facility simulates a real-world biopharma manufacturing environment, equipping trainees with essential skills in aseptic techniques, manufacturing recombinant proteins, vaccines, and cell and gene therapies, as well as adhering to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Good Documentation Practice (GDP).
The establishment of the BioHub Maryland Training and Education Center is backed by a $3 million investment from Montgomery County, alongside an additional $1.25 million in operational and capital support from the Moore-Miller Administration since taking office.
Notably, this training center is the only facility in the National Capital Region to feature curricula developed by the National Institute of Bioprocessing Training and Research (NIBRT), a globally recognized leader in biopharmaceutical manufacturing training and research.
As part of the Maryland Tech Council (MTC), BioHub Maryland aims to accelerate the growth of the life sciences industry by expanding the state’s biopharma manufacturing talent pipeline.
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich remarked, “The BioHub Maryland Training and Education Center at Montgomery County presents an exciting opportunity to create local jobs and bolster our county’s leadership in life sciences. Our investment allows job seekers from all educational backgrounds to acquire in-demand biopharma skills in a cutting-edge training environment, while also providing employers with the skilled workforce necessary to drive the medical innovations that patients worldwide rely on.”
Maryland Tech Council CEO Kelly Schulz added, “The BioHub Maryland Training and Education Center will establish a benchmark for excellence in life science talent development. We are committed to building the biopharma workforce of the future in Rockville and welcome Maryland residents from all educational backgrounds. We appreciate Montgomery County’s leadership in making this training center a reality, as well as the Moore-Miller Administration’s crucial operational support.”
The life sciences field offers lucrative career opportunities for individuals without college degrees, with one in three job openings in Maryland not requiring a Bachelor’s degree. Additionally, average annual salaries in the life sciences sector are 87% higher than those in other industries in the state.
