Abstract 2414 Credentialing for Careers in the Bioscience Industry

In today's competitive job market, having a differentiating factor is essential for high growth career opportunities. The nationally recognized Biotechnician Assistant Credentialing Exam (BACE) leads to a credential that sets individuals apart from their peers, showcasing their aptitude for the work, and the ability to meet industry standards. The earned credential validates a solid foundation of knowledge and skills, making career candidates more attractive to employers who seek qualified and competent talent. The BACE credential can also catalyze career progression, allowing individuals to pursue higher-level positions and explore diverse avenues in the bioscience industry. We invite you to learn about the BACE and how industry defined standards in conjunction with the exam framework are being integrated into undergraduate programs, to enhance professional reputation and to provide graduates a competitive edge in the job market. To set the stage, we will provide a brief overview of the BACE, industry-defined standards, and credential earner outcomes, followed with a model for inclusion in postsecondary programs. We will then engage attendees in an interactive thought-exchange to share perspectives about traditional pathways to industry careers, gaps in career preparation, career awareness, and barriers to success for entry into this high-growth field. The BACE is a national, industry recognized credentialing exam maintained and administered out of the University of Florida (non-profit). Launched in 2012, the BACE has expanded in use to 31 states and is used as a hiring metric by bioscience companies nationally. Employers and organizations value the credibility and assurance that the BACE exam provides, as it serves as a concrete measure of an individual's proficiency at competencies and skills that qualify them as "work ready" and illustrates the ability to be quickly being trained on company-specific protocols.