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Biotechnology

There is an increasing need for highly skilled employees in Wisconsin's growing biotechnology industries, particularly as more test products are approved for mass production. Estimates for job growth in this industry between now and 2014 range from 12.5 percent to 20.5 percent, depending on the specialty.

Wisconsin's bioscience and biotechnology industries helped develop this Youth Apprenticeship Program to meet the need for the projected high employment growth in this area.

Work-Based Requirements

Employer mentors are trained to teach youth apprentices the skills and knowledge needed to find entry level employment in a range of laboratory settings in biotechnology industries. (See Skills Standards Checklist.)

Youth apprentices rotate through multiple areas at the worksite and take related classroom instruction at the local high school, technical college or at the worksite.

The Biotechnology program has two options available. The one-year option includes two semesters of classroom instruction which support a minimum of 450 work hours. The two-year option includes four semesters of classroom instruction, which support 900 work hours.

Related Instruction Requirements

Biotechnology related instruction provides a foundation for understanding biotechnology as it relates to the development of new technologies and related products, as well as for more advanced educational and training experiences. The curriculum is designed to encourage scientific inquiry and technical competence.

Semesters I and II
Introduces the concepts and skills in the biotechnology industry, including orientation to biotechnology, laboratory notebooks, safety, computer skills, measurement techniques, laboratory solutions, investigating the structure and function of DNA, manipulation of DNA and microbiology techniques.
Semesters III and IV
Mastery of the complex knowledge and technical skills associated with biotechnology. Contents include nucleic acid sequencing, mutagenesis techniques, protein structure and function, protein analysis, immunological techniques and cell culture.

Skill Certificate and Advanced Standing

After successful completion of the requirements for a high school diploma and the school-based and work-based requirements for Youth Apprenticeship, the students receive a Certificate of Occupational Proficiency from the Department of Workforce Development. Students who complete the two-year Biotechnology Youth Apprenticeship are eligible to receive eleven or more advanced standing credits from the Madison Area Technical College toward a biotechnology or bioscience degree.

Downloadable Documents:

Skills Standards Checklist
Order Form from Dept. of Administration Document Sales Unit

Updated June 10, 2009
Content Contact: DWD Staff


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