The Power of A

Mark Herzog
Executive Director
http://www.vacats.org/

The Virginia Biotechnology Association (VaBIO) launched a new initiative called “the Virginia Council on Advanced Technology Skills (VCATS) to design a fast track online pathway that connects people to 21st Century jobs. An individual can take an online assessment and receive a certification for advanced manufacturing or bioscience skills depending on their skill level. If they need gap filling training to reach certification, VCATS provides that too. VCATS won a $1.5M grant from the US DOL to launch the program and has received many national awards since then.

The goal of the project, managed in partnership with the Virginia Manufacturers Association, is to create a new employer-validated certification system and an innovative employer-designed training program for advanced technology technicians. It is supported by a large number of major employers such as Merck, Micron Technology, Philip Morris USA, Wyeth, B.I. Chemicals and Novozymes.