New Partnerships Pave the Path to Student Success
The College continues to advance its mission of student success and academic excellence by securing partnerships with two prestigious institutions: The Wistar Institute and Drexel University. The Wistar Institute’s Biomedical Research Technician (BRT) Apprenticeship program offers those pursuing degrees at Community College of Philadelphia and elsewhere a career pathway to become biomedical research technicians in research laboratory environments, while the dual admissions agreement between Drexel and Community College of Philadelphia allows for a seamless transfer of credits between the two institutions.
The Biomedical Research Technician (BRT) Apprenticeship Program
The Wistar Institute’s BRT program has become the first-ever registered, nontraditional apprenticeship program in biomedical research approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry. This training model is now fully recognized by the state and will help serve the workforce needs of the region’s burgeoning life sciences community with experienced lab technicians.
The BRT Apprenticeship offers those pursuing degrees at the Community College of Philadelphia and elsewhere a career pathway to become biomedical research technicians in research laboratory environments. Through coursework and on-the-job training opportunities at Wistar and other partnering laboratories, trainees acquire skillsets to facilitate experimental procedures, manage a laboratory and monitor lab safety, conduct data analysis on experiments, and various other highly skilled techniques with the goal of supporting a lead scientist in the laboratory.
Developed from the Biomedical Technician Training (BTT) Program, the BRT Program expands upon BTT Program structure and concepts. In 2000, the BTT Program was created in partnership with the Community College of Philadelphia to reinforce the region’s workforce with experienced lab technicians. The evolution of the BTT Program to the state-approved and credentialed BRT Apprenticeship showcases Wistar’s critical role in science education and training in Philadelphia, affirming the value of being globally connected and locally relevant.
Read more about the BRT Apprenticeship Program:
Drexel University and Community College of Philadelphia Dual Admissions Agreement
Dr. Donald Guy Generals, President of Community College of Philadelphia and John Fry, President of Drexel University signed a dual admissions agreement following the bi-annual Pathways Magazine breakfast, where John Fry was the featured speaker. The agreement offers a seamless pathway for Community College of Philadelphia graduates to transfer to and finish their degrees at Drexel University.
Fry, who also is chairman of the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, was interviewed for the Spring edition of Pathways magazine, a workforce development publication. Citing the need for local institutions of higher education to do more to help city residents, Fry shared some ways Drexel is using academic and economic development activities to broaden student learning and promote inclusion.
Both Dr. Generals and Mr. Fry share a common vision for fostering student success and increasing educational options that provide better economic opportunities for everyone.
Read more about the dual admissions partnership: