Search | Menu Madison College and partners to accelerate workforce development for new Wisconsin BioHealth Tech Hub
Wisconsin’s selection as a U.S. Regional Tech Hub, and the $49 million awarded in federal funding, will boost the state’s personalized medicine and biohealth sector with help from Wisconsin’s higher education, workforce, and industry sector leaders.
Madison College leads one of the six innovative Tech Hub projects in partnership with Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) and the Universities of Wisconsin and support from the Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin (WDBSCW) and Employ Milwaukee, Inc.
Actualizing Biohealth Career (ABC) Pathways project aims to raise awareness and create opportunities for biohealth careers in underrepresented communities. It will focus on developing stackable and tailored credentials and promoting work-based learning, such as apprenticeships, to meet the industry's demand.
Train and place biohealth workers
Wisconsin was awarded the Phase 2 Implementation Grant under the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs program. The highly sought-after Tech Hub designation received 370 applications from 49 states and four territories.
The ABC Pathways project will receive $12.5 million in federal funding, and $1.5 million in state of Wisconsin matching funds, for a total investment of $14 million toward expanding collaborative efforts and innovation between the partners, says Mark Thomas, Madison College Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Vice President.
“Madison College has always addressed workforce needs, and the opportunity to contribute to the Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub program and the emerging biohealth economy is incredibly exciting,” Thomas said. “We are eager to work with industry leaders and build on our existing collaboration with Milwaukee Area Technical College and the Universities of Wisconsin to scale our collective expertise and support the broader consortium initiatives."
Improve health care
Madison College and MATC develop workforces by providing direct-to-employment training and transfer opportunities to four-year institutions. Their academic programs and ability to quickly respond to local workforce demands allow for career-focused programs tailored to the specific skills required by biohealth companies.
“This is a groundbreaking opportunity for Wisconsin, Milwaukee Area Technical College and the consortium," said MATC President Vicki J. Martin, Ph.D. "We are committed to expanding our biohealth programs and focused on equipping our diverse student body with the skills needed for careers in Wisconsin's growing Tech Hub."
ABC Pathways aims to train and place 2,000 workers in biohealth jobs within five years, with a 30% employee diversity goal. Overall, the Tech Hub expects to create 30,000 jobs and $9 billion in economic development in Wisconsin over the next 10 years. Wisconsin Biohealth sector employees earn an average wage of $96,000, substantially higher than the state’s private-sector average.
Expand training and remove barriers
ABC Pathways partners with the Universities of Wisconsin to expand employer engagement, structured work-based experiences, and career pathways aligned with industry and degree credentials. The UWs will leverage industry partners, its accredited small business technical assistance network, and labs and data science institutes for new, structured experiential learning emphasizing business, entrepreneurship, and AI applications in biohealth and biomanufacturing.
“The Biohealth Tech Hub will spark innovation in the area of personalized medicine and the Universities of Wisconsin are poised to help lead. I’m thrilled our universities have joined so many top-notch partners – in both the public and private sectors – who are working together to achieve one goal: to improve health care for all Wisconsinites,” said Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman.
The project will develop a skilled biohealth tech workforce by starting career awareness programs, establishing apprenticeships, and offering dual credit opportunities for high school students.
Other initiatives will expand biohealth training pathways and remove barriers that will attract young adults, workers from other industries, and employees looking to upskill their credentials.
“This effort will benefit Wisconsin workers and employers for years to come,” Thomas said. “We are grateful for Sen. Tammy Baldwin's dedication to the Tech Hubs and the bipartisan financial assistance the state of Wisconsin provided, as well as the efforts of non-profit organizations, public officials, and business and industry leaders who made this happen."
Key collaborators
Technical college partners, Employee Milwaukee, Inc. and the Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin will contribute youth career exploration and workplace learning opportunities, job readiness and career coaching programs, academic supports, wraparound supportive services, and employer engagement, recruitment and retention.
"This critical initiative underscores our commitment to providing real-world learning opportunities and good jobs for young people," said WDBSCW CEO Seth Lentz. "With our consortium partners, we are ensuring that the next generation is well-equipped to excel in the rapidly evolving fields of healthcare and biotechnology while contributing to the vitality of Wisconsin's economy."
The ABC Pathways project’s key collaborators include healthcare partners UW Health and the Medical College of Wisconsin, and technology and advanced manufacturing partners MPE, Plexus, Rockwell, Exact Sciences, GE Healthcare, and Accuray, and training partner WRTP | BIG STEP.
“This effort will benefit Wisconsin workers and employers for years to come,” Thomas said. “We are grateful for Sen. Tammy Baldwin's dedication to the Tech Hubs and the bipartisan financial assistance the state of Wisconsin provided, as well as the efforts of non-profit organizations, public officials, and business and industry leaders who made this happen.”
