MassBioEd Honors First Graduates of the Life Sciences Apprenticeship Program

CAMBRIDGE – Last week, Senator DiDomenico delivered the keynote speech for the Massachusetts Biotechnology Education Foundation (MassBioEd)’s Life Sciences Apprenticeship Program graduation. MassBioEd, a nonprofit focused on education, training, and workforce development within the burgeoning Life Sciences sector, honored the inaugural graduating class of its Life Sciences Apprenticeship program at a ceremony held at the MassBioHub. State Senator Sal DiDomenico joined with Massachusetts employers participating in the program to recognize the 21 graduates, who hail from 14 different Massachusetts cities and towns and worked for 11 different life science companies around Massachusetts.

The Life Sciences Apprenticeship Program supports the growing demand for talent in the life sciences sector by providing a unique opportunity for accelerated education and training to Massachusetts residents who are new to the workforce or interested in transitioning into the life sciences field. The graduation event coincided with the start of National Apprenticeship Week, a federal observance celebrating apprenticeship programs that support racial and gender equity and help advance critical talent pipelines to address larger workforce challenges.

“I was honored to be invited as the keynote speaker at this inspiring graduation ceremony,” said Senator DiDomenico, Assistant Majority Leader of the Massachusetts Senate. “This program provides individuals from underrepresented backgrounds with skills to attain a high-paying career where they can work on cutting-edge medicine and research that will help improve the lives of patients all over the world. This is an incredible program that has and will continue to help countless people in our communities and close the skills gap in Massachusetts.”

Launched in 2021, MassBioEd’s Life Sciences Apprenticeship program aims to create a diverse pipeline of trained individuals for difficult-to-fill positions at local companies and provide a pathway to a career in life sciences and improved future career prospects for individuals in the program. The program includes tracks in biomanufacturing and clinical operations, with a third career pathway to be introduced in 2023. Apprentices complete three to five months of classroom education followed by one year of paid on-the-job training at a partnering life sciences company. To date, 20 employers have participated in the program, and at least 17 apprentices already have been offered full-time positions. In 2022 MassBioEd enrolled 66 apprentices in the program, 65 percent of whom are people of color. These individuals were also recognized at the event for completing the educational portion of the program.

“Biotech has always interested me, and I was adamant about finding a career that I enjoy – this apprenticeship turned out to be a golden opportunity when I needed it the most. I will always look back on this experience with appreciation,” said David Gazelian, a member of the graduating class and current Biomanufacturing Technician at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals. “One of the most valuable aspects of the apprenticeship was the people I met. They inspired me to take every day and learn something new. This apprenticeship has opened the door to a new career path for me, and words can’t describe how thankful I am to be part of this.”

Partnering employers include major life sciences companies such as Bristol Myers Squibb, Pfizer, Thermo Fisher Scientific, AbbVie, and Takeda.

To learn more about the Apprenticeship Program, please visit https://www.massbioed.org/apprenticeship-program or contact Apprenticeship@massbioed.org.

About the Program

This unique program is registered with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and provides candidates an alternative pathway into the life sciences industry. MassBioEd has focused on recruiting candidates from under-represented groups in the industry as well as unemployed and underemployed individuals. Through accelerated training, apprentices gain foundational knowledge, industry-recognized skills, and work experience. MassBioEd chose to target Biomanufacturing Technicians and Clinical Trial Associates for the first year of the apprenticeship program because of high employer demand for these occupations. Learn more here.

About MassBioEd Foundation

The Massachusetts Biotechnology Education Foundation (MassBioEd) is a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit organization. Its mission is to build a sustainable life sciences workforce in the region through educational programs that engage and excite teachers, inspire and propel students, and illuminate the pathway from the classroom to careers with a focus on expansion, opportunity, and diversity.

###

Bill codifies ‘no net loss’ policy into law for conservation areas in Massachusetts

BOSTON – Senator DiDomenico secured an agreement with House of Representatives conferees on the Public Land Preservation Act, and later that day joined his colleagues in the Legislature to pass this legislation that protects open and public spaces throughout the Commonwealth and ensures their conservation for future generations. This legislation permanently preserves and protects the amount of land designated as open spaces and prevents it from being used for other purposes.  Senator DiDomenico was appointed by Senate President Karen Spilka to be the Senate Chair on the Conference Committee to negotiate a resolution with House of Representatives.

“I am thrilled that we have reached an agreement on this bill which will protect our public land so our communities can have parks, green spaces, and clean water to enjoy throughout the Commonwealth,” said Senator Sal N. DiDomenico, Assistant Majority Leader of the Massachusetts Senate and Chair of the Senate Committee on Bills in the Third Reading. “Protecting our public lands is so critically important in our state because they also help protect our residents from the effects of climate change; our forests keep our air clean, our trees provide shade and cool our urban environments, and our wetlands mitigate the effects of flooding and storms. I am grateful for Senate President Spilka’s dedication to getting this important bill passed, Senator Eldridge and Representative Balser for their years of work on this issue, and all the conference committee members for their help getting this bill over the finish line.”

“As we work to mitigate the effects of climate change we see and feel every day, it’s important that we do not allow the quality and acreage of open lands in Massachusetts to decrease,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “Open lands protect against floods, reduce heat from man-made roads and cities, increase carbon capture from plants and soils, protect our clean drinking water, and provide residents with wonderful outdoor recreational opportunities. I want to thank all the conferees, especially Senator DiDomenico for his leadership and Senator Eldridge for his years of attention and perseverance in seeing this legislation passed, as well as Senator Rodrigues for his review and support.”

Since its passage as a ballot initiative in 1972, Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution has recognized the importance of public lands. Lands acquired for conservation purposes under Article 97 have protected status, and such lands’ sale or conversion to other use must be approved by a two-thirds vote of each branch of the Legislature. Recognizing the importance of maintaining public lands, the Legislature, working with the Administration, has for many years ensured ‘no net loss’ of open spaces by requiring equivalent replacement land into open space when disposing of Article 97 land.

The conference report passed by the Legislature today codifies a ‘no net loss’ policy into law, making it legally binding. It ensures a public process takes place when a public entity considers disposing of Article 97 land and that replacement land is located nearby and of comparable acreage, fair market value, and natural resource value. The legislation includes a provision that allows for a cash payment in lieu of replacement land, provided that the payment amount is no less than 110 per cent of the value of the land and the money is used to purchase replacement land within three years.

The Governor signed the bill into law on Thursday, November 17th.

###

The Senator’s advocacy will support people in his district and residents in need across the state 

BOSTON– Senator DiDomenico recently joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts Legislature in passing a wide-ranging $3.76 billion relief package to provide targeted energy assistance, support ongoing transportation needs, as well as, investing in the state’s small businesses, caregivers, health care system, affordable housing, and efforts to fight climate change.

Senator DiDomenico secured significant funding in this package for community organizations and public projects throughout his district:

$425,000 in funding for community organizations:

• Margaret Fuller House

• East End House

• Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee

• Zion Community Services Corporation

• John F. Kennedy Family Service Center

• Harvest on Vine

• Everett Haitian Community Center

• Nurtury

 Funding for community projects:

• Mary O’Malley Park enhancements | $75,000 

• Northern Strand bike path improvements | $200,000

• Student and Parent Internship program and the Reality Check program at Everett Public Schools | $150,000

• College and career assistance programs at Chelsea Public Schools | $150,000

• Funding to help the RMV take steps to ensure non-English speakers can still access state services, programs, and activities | $500,000

• Funding for Roca to plan for and expand the delivery of training for police and other criminal justice partners | $1,000,000

Successful advocacy for statewide funding:

• Food security infrastructure grants | $25 million

• $150 million for early education and care providers through the continuation of the Commonwealth Cares for our Children (C3) stabilization grant program, including $60 million for subsidized providers.

“I was thrilled to pass this bill and secure funding for local organizations and public projects that support my constituents and contribute to the well-being of my communities,” said Senator DiDomenico, Assistant Majority Leader of the Massachusetts Senate. “This bill will also provide much needed financial relief to Massachusetts residents, boost our economy, work on addressing the housing crisis, help our early educators, and strengthen our fight against the climate crisis. I want to thank Senate President Spilka, Speaker Mariano, Chairs Rodrigues and Michelwitz for their commitment to getting this legislation over the finish line in both chambers.”

“This compromise legislation makes critical investments to ease the financial burden facing individuals and families, puts money back in taxpayers’ pockets and helps prepare our economic landscape for new challenges,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “I am proud of the significant investments made to assist residents with rising utility costs, boost affordable housing production, support our health care system, keep our climate goals on track and stabilize the early education and childcare sectors. We also take meaningful steps to ensure a record $3 billion in tax relief payments for taxpayers, the most ever in state history, is paid for. I am grateful to House Speaker Mariano, Chairs Rodrigues, Michlewitz, Lesser and Cusack, their staffs and my colleagues in Senate and House for their work on this legislation. I look forward to seeing it quickly signed into law.”

In addition to $3.76 billion in direct investments, this compromise legislation ensures that the Commonwealth responsibly pays for the historic $3 billion one-time tax relief that will be returned to an estimated three million taxpayers over the coming weeks. Combined, this $6.76 billion in tax relief and direct investments will provide much-needed breathing room for families, small businesses and individuals feeling the pinch of inflation. Notably, the bill closes the books on Fiscal Year 2022 and dedicates $500 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), leaving a balance of $1.74 billion in federal resources for future use.

Appropriations

 Over $1.4 billion invested to support health and human services programs, including:

• $350 million for hospitals that have become fiscally strained during the pandemic

• $225 million for rate increases for human service workers and providers

• $200 million for COVID-19 response efforts

• $195 million for nursing facilities and rest homes

• $80 million for Community Health Centers

• $20 million to reduce gun violence and related trauma throughout the Commonwealth, including:

  • $3 million for a grant program to support school safety infrastructure improvements

  • $2 million to provide behavioral health-related supports and resources in schools to reduce instances of gun violence

• $20 million to bridge impending federal cuts to Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) programs and maintain critical victim service programs

• $17.5 million for reproductive and family planning services

• $14 million for facilities that treat individuals with an alcohol or substance use disorder in the Commonwealth

• $5 million to support harm reduction efforts and services to address substance use disorder in the Commonwealth

• $2.5 million for grants to support the nursing workforce talent pipeline

$540 million invested to support clean energy and climate resiliency initiatives, including:

• $250 million to accelerate and support clean energy initiatives, including:

  • $100 million to promote and accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles, through the MOR-EV program as well as supports for the expansion of electric vehicle charging infrastructure

  • $100 million for ports and port infrastructure to support the clean energy economy

  • $50 million for the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center to accelerate the transition to and expansion of renewable energy

• $175 million for the conservation and improvement of publicly owned lands and investments in green spaces, with an emphasis on investments in environmental justice communities

• $115 million for the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust, including:

  • $15 million for planning and implementing water pollution abatement project in watersheds designated as nitrogen sensitive areas

$409.5 million invested to support affordable housing, including:

• $304.5 million to support and boost housing production, including:

  • $100 million for the Commonwealth Builder Program to support the production of for-sale, below market housing to expand homeownership opportunities for first-time homebuyers and socially disadvantaged individuals in communities disproportionately impacted by the 2019 novel coronavirus pandemic

  • $100 million for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund established to support the creation and preservation of affordable housing

  • $100 million to support the production of workforce housing

• $50 million for the Equitable Developers Financing Program to support the development of new housing in certain underserved communities

• $25 million for regional low-threshold housing to support individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability and who struggle with substance use disorder

• $20 million for housing options and additional support services and resources to address the needs of immigrants and refugees

• $10 million for public housing redevelopment

Over $500 million invested to support early education, economic development, workforce development and community support initiatives, including:

• $153 million for small businesses grant relief, including $45M for minority, women, and veteran owned businesses.

• $150 million for early education and care providers through the continuation of the Commonwealth Cares for our Children (C3) stabilization grant program, including $60 million for subsidized providers.

• $112 million to support the MBTA’s ongoing efforts to address the Federal Transportation Administration’s staffing and safety directives

• $100 million for the state’s Unemployment Insurance Trust fund to offset estimated overpayments made during the course of the pandemic

• $75 million for investments in broadband infrastructure and access across the commonwealth

• $57 million for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), ensuring relief to families facing rising energy costs.

• $50 million to promote the attainment of debt-free higher education for students pursuing careers in high-demand industries, such as health care, education, and cybersecurity

• $25 million for food security infrastructure grants

• $12 million to support the agricultural and blue economy sectors

• $2.5 million for computer science teacher development

###