BioHive, a Utah-based nonprofit public-private partnership dedicated to brand, build and bring together Utah’s life science and healthcare innovation ecosystem, has announced the launch of a BioHive Life Sciences Returnship Initiative (LSRI). The mission of LSRI is to expand workforce opportunities for those re-entering the workforce after an absence from the industry.
The initiative will help returnees build their resume and gain current and relevant experience. Additionally, the LSRI will help industry tap into a valuable talent pool, BioHive said in announcing the program. The initiative is funded in part by the Talent Ready Utah Return-to-Work Work Grant.
“The returnship program is an important step toward fostering a more inclusive and impactful workforce,” said Aimee Edwards, executive director of BioHive. “Offering tailored resources for life sciences-specific opportunities will give individuals the support and confidence they need to bring their unique skills and experiences to the industry.”
BioHive will focus on support for “returnships” in research-based roles such as scientists, researchers, engineers and technologists, with plans to expand the offerings to non-research-based roles within the industry in following years.
The initiative will kick off with a three-part workshop series to prepare returners to apply for returning opportunities at four host life sciences companies: ARUP Laboratories, Denali Therapeutics, Recursion and Seek Labs. Educational material will be provided in partnership with Tech-Moms and industry mentors from the BioHive Women in Tech and Science Chapter.
“BioHive WITS chapter is fostering strong relations between industry, community groups and individuals in STEM to facilitate a smooth and accelerated on-ramp back into the rapidly advancing science and tech workforce here in Utah,” said Alison O’Mahony, vice president of pharmaceutical research at Seek Labs and BioHive WITS leadership team. “This returnship program was established as a way to provide meaningful opportunities, practical guidance and build a supportive community for folks returning to work in science and tech space after a prolonged absence.”
Details about the initiative are available at the BioHive website, www.biohive.com/returnships/.