Motlow State Launches 6-Week Biotech Training Program
July 3, 2025
Motlow State is partnering with Vanderbilt University to offer a six-week training program that prepares people for biotechnical careers. Classes will be offered in the evenings at Oakland High School in Murfreesboro and gives adults a paid, short-term opportunity to train for a successful career in the sciences.
This biotechnology technician training program provides a quick route to working in STEM fields. Classes begin on August 18, with the first four weeks being five evenings a week from 4 to 6:30 pm and the last two weeks being on a hybrid schedule. Participants will be paid $20 per hour to take this training, allowing them to already begin earning an income while preparing to change their careers. Upon completion of the program, students will be eligible to sit for the nationally-recognized Biotechnology Aptitude and Competency Exam (BACE) and immediately become eligible for job placement.
According to Dr. Tony Millican, Executive Vice President for Workforce and Community Development, “We are excited to announce this partnership with Vanderbilt that is made possible by a grant from the National Science Foundation and the Tennessee Board of Regents. This will help more adults play vital roles in the STEM world and get there faster. The faster we can help them obtain good jobs, the faster they can succeed.”
The goal of Vanderbilt University and Motlow State is to give citizens of the College’s 11-county service area job opportunities that offer high rewards, livable wages, and plenty of room for growth. Middle Tennessee’s biotech sector is steadily growing and now requires a greater workforce to meet the demand. Program Instructor Dr. Sarah Daron-Mathis is well-versed in teaching this course and achieved a 100-percent success rate during her last session while teaching students who had no prior experience in the field.
This one training program gives students the foundation they need to work in a variety of fields, such as Good Manufacturing, Good Documentation Processing, Aseptic Technique and Processing, Lab Safety, Quality Control, Quality Assurance, Forensics, Food Safety, Pharmaceutical Production, Genetic Testing, Biotechnology Startups, and University Research.
If you are interested in learning more about how you can pivot your career in just six weeks, visit Motlow.edu/BiotechTraining. Those 18 and above are eligible to apply, regardless of educational background. Seating is very limited, so secure your spot as soon as possible.