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On May 28th 2008, Governor Martin O'Malley, Secretary Tom Perez and GWIB Chair Bill Robertson addressed the Bioscience Workforce Conference at the University of Maryland, Baltimore Biopark. The Conference was part of the GWIB's Center for Industry Initiatives.
This successful event brought together industry stakeholders, workforce and economic development representatives, and the education community to address the Bioscience industry's workforce needs. This was the third in a five phase process that will culminate with the implementation of a plan of action to ensure that the industry has the workforce necessary to compete in the 21st century global economy.
Bioscience is a fast growing industry worldwide, and Maryland has emerged as a leader in the industry. The Brookings Institution found that the Baltimore/Washington corridor is one of nine metro areas in the country that, together, account for more than three quarters of all biotechnology firms with more than 100 employees, nearly two thirds of all biotechnology-related patents and eight of every nine dollars in venture capital for biopharmaceuticals. At the same time, there are workforce challenges that must be addressed if Maryland is to maintain its competitive position in this growing field. Establishing workforce creation policies that ensure Maryland will remain competitive in the increasingly global and high-tech economy of the 21st century is a top priority for Governor O'Malley.
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