CPS Dean Jared Auclair Featured in Boston Business Journal
Jared Auclair, dean of Northeastern University’s College of Professional Studies and co-lead of BioConnects New England (BCNE), was recently featured in the Boston Business Journal with a commentary piece on the future of biotech workforce development in Massachusetts.
In his article, “Don’t let lack of credentialing hold back biotech,” Auclair highlights the urgent need for Massachusetts to adopt a streamlined, industry-recognized credentialing system for biotech careers. While the Commonwealth continues to lead globally in biotech research and innovation, other states—most notably North Carolina and Texas—are gaining ground by implementing standardized credentialing programs that fast-track workers into biomanufacturing roles without requiring advanced degrees.
- North Carolina has established a nationally recognized biotech-training ecosystem through community college programs, public-private partnerships, and stackable credentials tailored to industry needs.
- Texas has widely adopted the Biotechnician Assistant Credentialing Exam (BACE), providing a unified system that certifies core biotech competencies in high schools and community colleges.
By comparison, Massachusetts lacks a coordinated, statewide credentialing system—leaving many aspiring biotech professionals without a clear pathway into the industry. Auclair argues that without immediate action, Massachusetts risks losing its competitive advantage in biotech talent development.
Auclair points to promising initiatives already underway. Northeastern University, in partnership with Bridgewater State University, BioConnects New England, and the Bioscience Core Skills Institute, recently launched the PathmakerBio program at Northeastern’s Burlington campus. The program has already graduated 74 students across three cohorts since 2024, equipping participants—particularly from underserved communities—with hands-on experience and industry-recognized microcredentials that prepare them for life sciences careers.
Still, Auclair emphasizes that Massachusetts must take bold, statewide steps. He calls for state government to establish a “gold standard” credentialing system that sets benchmarks for quality and consistency, expands training hubs through public-private partnerships, and ensures that skills—not just degrees—unlock opportunities in biotech.
“Massachusetts has the opportunity to preserve its leadership in biotech,” Auclair writes, “but doing so requires a bold commitment to workforce credentialing that evolves in step with science.”
