WASHINGTON DC – Senator DiDomenico recently accepted an invitation from the Washington Area State Relations Group (WASRG) to join a leadership panel during their Inside the Dome event. DiDomenico was joined by Maryland’s Senate President, Virginia’s House Majority Leader, and North Carolina’s House Senior Appropriations Chair. Senator DiDomenico offered his perspective on the next legislative session in Massachusetts and discussed state policy ideas with the other panelists.

“Our state is a nationwide leader on countless important issues, and I am always happy to have opportunities like this to speak about our values and our legislative accomplishments,” said Senator DiDomenico, Assistant Majority Leader of the Massachusetts Senate. “I also appreciate events like this where I can learn about the latest policy and political developments in other states, which can inform what we do here in the Commonwealth. I want to thank WASRG for inviting me and the rest of the panel for their insight and perspective.”

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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.

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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.

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