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Green Innovation Challenge - EDGE Grant

EDGE Case Study

In 2010, the Educating and Developing workers for the Green Economy (EDGE) Initiative was formed as a public-private partnership that included: San Diego Center for Algae Biotechnology, UCSD, CleanTECH San Diego, BIOCOM, the BIOCOM Institute, San Diego Regional EDC, Imperial Valley EDC, San Diego Workforce Partnership, UCSD Extension, San Diego State University, and MiraCosta College. With a Green Innovation Challenge grant from the California Department of Labor from 2010-2012, EDGE developed and provided free 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 was carefully constructed with input from industry partners to ensure that these sectors needs are met with highly skilled workers. Programs created included:

Biofuels Science Technician Certificate: Tracks - Biological/Biofuels Lab Technician, Microbiological/Crop Management, Biofuels Analytical Chemist at UCSD Extension providing hands-on technical knowledge and experience in biofuels production, analysis and processing required to excel in a management-level biofuels career.  This certificate has been revised for 2013.

Biomass Production Training Certificate: Certificate at MiraCosta College providing 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.

Industrial Biotech Immersion Program: Online certificate program developed by the BIOCOM Institute using industry driven curriculum to give individuals the business acumen and soft skills needed to successfully transition into industrial biotech careers.

Paid Internships: The EDGE Internship program provided opportunities to work in the rapidly emerging biofuels/industrial biotechnology industry. New internships are not available at this time.

Advanced Training in Biofuels Production Certificate (Masters of Advanced Studies): UCSD-based M.A.S., currently under development, will prepare advanced degree holders to assume responsibility for important research in the growing biofuels industry. Further information will be posted here as it becomes available.

EDGE Grant Outcomes

From thousands of letters of interest and roughly 500 applicants, we were able not only fully develop the above training programs, but we were also able to train over 300 participants.  Outcomes as of 9/17/12 are listed below.