Dr. Brandy Carter, executive director of the Biotech Institute of Maryland (BTI) spoke to the Maryland Life Sciences Board on Friday September 24 about BTI’s success in training unemployed and under-employed high school graduates for laboratory careers in Life Sciences. She focused her remarks on the organization’s more than two decades of success in meeting the needs of what was the then nascent Life Sciences employer community and the common interest of Baltimore City’s two world class research institutions—JHU & UMB.

According to Dr. Carter, Maryland’s life sciences sector is stronger than ever and continues to show great demand for BTI graduates. “The jobs becoming available now far oustrips our capacity to supply them.”

“Because of the impact of the pandemic, 93.8% of our first cohort completers immediately found positions at $20.75 per hour–an increase over their average of $5.36 per hour prior to completing BTI’s training,” Carter said.

Her presentation sparked high interest among the Board’s 16 members appointed by the Governor and represent leading public, private, and educational institutions engaged in Life Sciences. The Board was created by the Maryland legislature in 2007 to assist in maintaining Maryland’s preeminence in the life sciences industry.

“The tenor of their questions was very clear,” Carter said. “We need to do more to help grow Maryland’s Life Sciences sector AND to create wealth building career path opportunities for all Maryland residents who can support our success.”