Archive for category: News

Contact: Tescha Borgstrom
Mgr., Corporate Training & Development
FM Industries
221 Warren Avenue
Fremont, CA
ETP Funding: $362,250

FMI is a contract manufacturer of precision machined parts, components, and clean room assemblies made for the semiconductor equipment industry, medical and government entities. They specialize in engineered thermal coatings, anodization (a process that strengthens and protects aluminum alloys) high speed machining, cellular manufacturing, critical process control and supplier management.

As a key supplier to the semiconductor industry, changes in FMI’s business that have taken place, and future expansion, are in direct response to the growth of the semiconductor industry.  Industry experts expect semiconductor equipment purchases to increase as a result of technology advances in artificial intelligence, the internet-of-things, electric vehicles, and big data.  Customer demand from the semiconductor industry and for FMI’s prototyping services thus remains strong.

This proposal is based on a strategic business initiative that includes an elevated commitment to worker training.  For 2020 and beyond, FMI will focus on promoting a culture where training and skills qualifications are at the center of advancing employees’ success.

Contact: Ken Sprague
Global Learning & Leadership Development
Agilent Technologies, Inc.
+1 408 345 8378 | ken.sprague@bmrn.com
www.biomarin.com
770 Lindaro Street, San Rafael, CA 94901, USA United States

At the Cal EPA building in our State’s capital, BioMarin Pharmaceuticals won its fourth consecutive workforce training contract worth $750,000 from California’s Employment Training Panel (ETP). The application was endorsed by the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) because of BioMarin’s positive impact on the State and local economy.

The monies will subsidize direct employee training costs for BioMarin sponsored courses delivered to its California employees via on-line, classroom, and/or on-the-job delivery methodologies. Ken Sprague made the presentation on behalf of the company receiving unanimous approval from the Panel members. Ken was first-rate in describing BioMarin’s story, corporate profile and products as well as the need for ongoing technical training for new/incumbent employees. The monies provided by ETP will help BioMarin leverage the experience and capabilities of its employees through learning while expanding California’s growing life science industry. The success of the ETP project at BioMarin is a direct result of the entire team’s leadership, technical knowledge, good humor, rock-hard ethics, and industry experience.

“Biomarin would not have been able to achieve the outcome it did without H&C’s guidance, expertise, adaptability and good humor,” said Ken Sprague, Manager of State Government Affairs.

Contact: Alfonso Perez
Quality Systems Manager
Boehringer Ingelheim
6701 Kaiser Drive
Fremont, CA 94555

Boehringer Ingelheim is investing $217 million to upgrade and expand their Fremont manufacturing facility. This investment will bring nearly 300 new high-wage and highly-skilled positions to the City of Fremont. The site was recently awarded $25.5 million in two separate tax credits from the state and another $900,000 in ETP funds, making them the largest awards to a pharmaceutical company. This significant expansion will enable the company to increase its manufacturing capacity by one-third.

Under this new proposal, BIFI will deliver more customized, advanced bio-tech manufacturing skills training using all three available ETP methodologies including class/lab, CBT, and Productive Lab. The proposed training plan is designed to expand trainee skills enabling them to adapt to changing business requirements; improve product quality; and gain transferable skills in advanced biotechnologies, pharmaceutical equipment, and processes. Training for frontline manufacturing workers under this proposal is different from previous ETP Agreements because it will focus primarily on new product manufacturing technologies and procedures.

Contact: Liz Ambrogi
Global Learning & Leadership Development
Agilent Technologies, Inc.
+1 408 345 8378 | elizabeth_ambrogi@agilent.com
www.agilent.com
5301 Stevens Creek Blvd Santa Clara CA 95051 United States

Founded in May 1999, Agilent was spun-off from Hewlett-Packard Company as part of a corporate realignment that created two separate companies. The company’s roots date back to 1939 when William Hewlett and David Packard started a company that is a global technology leader and helped give birth to the Silicon Valley and its high-technology industry. Agilent develops and manufactures products that sense, analyze, display, and communicate data for use in the life sciences, chemical analysis, communications and electronics industries. Agilent provides laboratories worldwide with instruments, services, consumables, applications and expertise, enabling customers to gain the insights they seek. The overall objective of the training plan is to re-tool the existing California workforce by building knowledge relative to new technologies, new organizational structure, and improved business information systems. Rather than downsizing and outsourcing California-based jobs, the proposed training will assist Agilent to grow its workforce.

“I have had the honor of consulting to Agilent Technologies since the company was created in 1999,” said Phillip Herrera, managing partner of Herrera & Company. “The success of the many ETP contracts is a direct result of the Agilent team’s leadership, technical knowledge, rock-hard ethics, good humor and industry experience. I am looking forward to being part of the Agilent team of amazing men and women and to making a difference in our Great State.”

Contact: Maura Halpenny
Training Manager | Quality Systems
Medtronic
9775 Toledo Way | Irvine, CA 92618 | USA
Office +1.949.297.9619 | Mobile +1.949.560.7466
Maura.H.Halpenny@medtronic.com

Medtronic Inc. (Parent), headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is among the world’s largest medical technology, services and solutions companies – alleviating pain, restoring health, and extending life for millions of people around the world. Medtronic was founded in 1949 and today serves hospitals, physicians, clinicians, and patients in approximately 160 countries worldwide. Medtronic Neurovascular develops, manufactures, and market products and therapies to treat diseases of the vasculature in and around the brain.  One of the company’s flagship  products is the Pipeline and Pipeline Flex Embolization Device for endovascular treatments of large or giant wide-necked brain aneurysms; the Solitaire FR Revascularization Device for treatment of acute ischemic stroke; and the Apollo Onyx delivery micro catheter which is the first detachable tip micro-catheter available in the U.S.    Most of the training will be delivered to front line manufacturing workers to use state-of-the art med device manufacturing machines, tools, and techniques in a clean room environment.  The med device industry is one the most regulated in the State and employees who are knowledgeable in performing their job to the most current manufacturing operating procedures acceptable under FDA standards attain highly transferable

Quote from Maura:  “Phillip came to us with high praise from his other med device clients who stated that he truly understand the industry, training reporting/compliance, and auditing.  We are impressed with the results and I highly recommend him if you are looking for an expert to win ETP funding.  He is also very bright and a pleasure to work with.”

Contact: Nadine Rothermel
Global Learning & Leadership Development
Keysight Technologies
1400 Fountain Grove Parkway
Santa Rosa, CA 95604

Keysight Technologies, provides electronic measurement instruments and systems that are used in the design, development, manufacture, installation, deployment and operation of electronics equipment. The company originated in 1939 in the Hewlett-Packard organization and our legacy encompasses more than 75 years of innovation. We do business with most Fortune 1000 companies that are developing electronic products. Keysight’s business strategy globally is to invest in product development to address the changing needs of the market and facilitate growth. They are investing in research and development to design measurement solutions that will satisfy the changing needs of its customers. These opportunities are being driven by the need for faster data rates and new form factors, and by evolving technology standards. Maintaining a well-trained and highly skilled manufacturing workforce is critical to achieving the above strategy. Therefore, Keysight will train 500 currently employed, front-line workers at its California locations with ETP funds. The principal objective is to remain the world’s leading electronic measurement company, transforming today’s measurement experience through innovations in wireless, modular, and software solutions.

Nadine had this to say: “Phillip was originally hired because of his knowledge and expertise to help navigate and manage our ETP and Cal Competes opportunities. I have continued to use him because of his results, thoroughness, and is a pleasure to work with.”

Founded in 1997 and based in Novato California, BioMarin is a global leader in the development, manufacturing and sale of innovative pharmaceuticals for serious diseases and medical conditions. BioMarin selects product candidates for diseases and conditions that represent a significant unmet medical need.

The monies will subsidize direct employee training costs for BioMarin sponsored courses delivered to its California employees via on-line, classroom, and/or on-the-job delivery methodologies. The support provided by the State of California though ETP and GO-Biz will help BioMarin leverage the experience and capabilities of its employees through learning while expanding California’s growing life science industry.

This application for BioMarin was designated a Critical Proposal by the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development based on the Company’s planned expansion and commitment to adding new jobs in California

“Biomarin would not have been able to achieve the outcome it did without H&C’s guidance, expertise, adaptability and good humor,” said Gudrun Finn, Associate Director of GxP Compliance

Contact: Lindy Rodwell,
RN Director, Sales Training
3750 Torrey View Court
San Diego, CA 92130
ETP Funding $946,000

Founded in January 2009 and headquartered in San Diego California, CareFusion is a global medical technology company that manufactures IV infusion medical equipment, medication and supply dispensing equipment, respiratory care products, infection prevention products and surgical instruments to customers in the United States and over 130 countries throughout the world (www.carefusion.com). Some of its products manufactured in California include Alaris® IV pumps, Pyxis® automated dispensing and patient identification systems, AirLife™, AVEA® and LTV® series ventilators and respiratory products, ChloraPrep® skin prep products, MedMined® surveillance services, and V. Mueller® and Snowden-Pencer® surgical instruments. Its primary customers include hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, clinics, long-term care facilities and physician offices.

CareFusion employs 3,614 full-time workers in California at its facilities in San Diego, Ontario, Yorba Linda, and Palm Springs, all sites targeted for ETP funded training. CareFusion’s California operations qualify for standard ETP funding as a manufacturer (Title 22, California Code of Regulations, Section 4416(i)(1). CareFusion was spun-off (sold) from Cardinal Health in August 2009 through the distribution and sale of stock shares. The company is now committed to bringing new products to market and has invested over $400 Mil on research and development. CareFusion’s business strategies are to expand its product portfolio with additional and enhanced products and services that will help healthcare providers reduce medication errors and overall treatment costs, reduce infections, and manage medications and supplies more efficiently. To achieve its goals, it must have a well-trained and highly skilled workforce. The overall objective of this ETP training project is to re-tool the existing workforce by building new knowledge and new job skill sets relative to the biotech manufacturing industry. The ETP funded training will focus on training and development of both incumbent and newly hired staff responsible for research, development, sales/marketing and production of CareFusion’s products.

Contact: Arturo Araiza
Production Training Supervisor
Boston Scientific
47900 Bayside Parkway
Fremont, CA 94538-6515
ETP Funding $750,000

Located across from the new Tesla Motors plant in Fremont, Boston Scientific is part of the growing manufacturing companies along the interstate 880 corridor. The company is a worldwide developer, manufacturer and marketer of medical devices that are used in a broad range of interventional medical specialties including cardiology, urology, gynecology, and neurovascular intervention. Boston Scientific employs 2,252 workers at its three California manufacturing plants in San Jose, Fremont, and Valencia and will 700 frontline manufacturing employees.

Boston products manufactured in California include a broad line of imaging catheters (coated and uncoated) and micro-delivery stents to treat diseases of the human vascular and neurovascular systems. The company’s flagship products include NequroForm® and Wingspan® Stent Systems to treat brain and/or wide neck aneurysms, each under a Humanitarian Device Exemption approval granted by the Food & Drug Administration. Other products include: Taxus Express Coronary Stent System®, AID Automatic Implantable Defibrillator®, and the Ventak Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator®. Boston Scientific invested over $900 million in research and development in 2010 resulting in the creation of an extensive pipeline of over 150 new products and is committed to retaining a manufacturing workforce in California.

The manufacture of its products is a highly exacting and complex process due in part to strict regulatory requirements imposed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other foreign regulatory agencies where products are sold. To be successful, Boston Scientific must have an experienced, well trained workforce that can understand and follow specific quality protocols and manufacturing procedures, while at the same time work efficiently and contribute to the high work standards required by the biotech industry.

All told, Training is targeted to meet the need for an expanded and more skilled manufacturing workforce; to foster job retention in industries threatened by out-of-state competition; and, for promoting the California biotech manufacturing workforce.

Contact: Duval Capozzi
Sr. Manager, Quality Training
Gilead Sciences
650 Cliffside Drive
San Dimas, CA 91773
ETP Funding: Open ended 

Founded in 1987 and based in Foster City, Gilead is a research-based biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops and commercializes innovative medicines in areas of unmet medical need. Gilead’s products improve the care of patients suffering from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS, liver diseases such as hepatitis B and C and serious cardiovascular/metabolic and respiratory conditions. Gilead reports that a majority of its revenue was for HIV products but the company also manufactures the anti-influenza drug Tamiflu and hepatitis B antiviral Hespera. In addition, Gilead is in the process of conducting clinical trials for the treatments for resistant hypertension, cystic fibrosis, HIV, and hepatitis.

The manufacture of Gilead’s products is a highly exacting and complex process due in part to strict regulatory requirements imposed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other foreign regulatory agencies where Gilead’s products are sold. To be successful, Gilead must have an experienced, well trained, workforce that can understand and follow specific quality protocols and manufacturing procedures. While at the same time, work efficiently and contribute to the high work standards required by the biotech industry. Therefore, Gilead is proposing to train 125 currently employed, front-line employees and 75 newly hired, front-line manufacturing workers at its California locations but a majority of the training will occur at its San Dimas facility.