• Algae's Potential
  • Why Algae?
  • Algae Q&A
  • Economic Benefits
  • Environmental Benefits
  • Societal Benefits
• Our Research
  • Research Programs
  • Faculty
  • CAB-Comm Collaborators
  • Algae Facility
• Spreading The Word
  • Educational Programs
  • News and Resources
  • Press Kit
• Partners
  • Sponsors
  • Membership
  • Advisory Board
  • Affiliates

SD-CAB Home

EDGE Initiative

SD-CAB is proud to be part of the EDGE (Educating and Developing workers for the Green Economy) Initiative.  The EDGE Initiative will provide education, training and placement services in the growing biofuels/industrial biotechnology industry to unemployed and incumbent workers within San Diego and the Imperial Valley.  Program curriculum has been carefully constructed with input from industry partners to ensure that these sectors needs are met with highly skilled workers.  The EDGE initiative is a public-private partnership that includes: CleanTECH San Diego, BIOCOM, BIOCOM Institute, San Diego Regional EDC, Imperial Valley EDC, San Diego Center for Algae Biotechnology, UCSD, UCSD Extension, San Diego State University, San Diego Workforce Partnership, and MiraCosta College.

Our Growing Biofuels/Industrial Biotechnology Industry

A 2011 analysis, conducted by the San Diego County of Governments’ (SANDAG) economic bureau, reports that for the algae sector alone, the industry currently provides the San Diego region with 466 direct jobs and $81 million in direct economic activity and $157 million in total economic activity annually. With increasing pressure on fossil fuels and the movement to develop clean, renewable alternative energy, the biofuels sector is set to grow at an impressive pace. 

Funded training opportunities

Since March 2011, we have been offering certificate courses at UCSD Extension and MiraCosta College.  The Industrial Biotech Immersion Program launched in June 2011.  The Masters program is currently under development at the UCSD Division of Biological Sciences.  

• Industrial Biotech Immersion Program: This online certificate program will use industry driven curriculum to give individuals the business acumen and soft skills needed to successfully transition into industrial biotech careers. 
• Biomass Production Training Certificate: This certificate, initially run through MiraCosta Collage, will provide a foundation in the technologies employed by biotechnology companies engaged in the production of microalgal biomass for biofuels and other applications for biomass production careers.
• Biofuels Science Technician Certificate: Tracks - Biological/Biofuels Lab Technician, Microbiological/Crop Management, Biofuels Analytical Chemist: This certificate, initially run through UCSD Extension, will provide the hands-on technical knowledge and experience in biofuels production, analysis and processing required to excel in a management-level biofuels career, in one of three areas: analytical chemistry, microbiological/crop management, or biological/biofuels lab techniques.  
• Advanced Training in Biofuels Production Certificate (Masters of Advanced Studies): Fulfilling the need to continue to understand and improve the science of biofuels, the UCSD-based M.A.S. will prepare advanced degree holders to assume responsibility for important research in the growing biofuels industry by providing technical knowledge and hands-on experience in biofuels production, analysis and processing, as well as basic biotechnology business and entrepreneurial skills.
• Paid Internships: The EDGE Internship program provides opportunities to work in the rapidly emerging biofuels/industrial biotechnology industry.  Each work experience is tailored to a participant's education level and capabilities, and interns gain exposure to career options, hands-on laboratory experience, work readiness skills, and mentoring by industry professionals.  From June 2011 - June 2012, 100 full-time, 8 week paid internships were made available through a competitive application process. No further internships are available at this time.

Enrollment

As the EDGE grant is coming to a close in June 2012, there are no more enrollment spaces available in the EDGE programs.  Please contact the BIOCOM Institute regarding the Industrial Biotech Immersion Program.  Regarding the certificate programs, these are currently being adapted into the regular tuition-based programs of UCSD Extension and MiraCosta College. Further information will be available on the SD-CAB website as it becomes available.