COLLEGE, BIOTECH FIRMS JOIN IN PROGRAM; MOORPARK STUDENTS HAVE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN JOB SKILLS.

Byline: Sylvia L. Oliande Daily News Staff Writer

Through an innovative partnership between education and the local biotechnology industry, students at Moorpark College have an opportunity to learn how medicinal drugs are manufactured, directly from the professionals.

In addition to providing lectures from local scientists, the college's new biotechnology program also will provide hands-on training in a laboratory that mimics the workplace students will encounter when they enter the field.

``Students in the class will learn the basic skills of biotechnology and acquire the knowledge they need to perform in the workplace,'' said Maureen Harrigan, a molecular biologist and program instructor.

College officials said Baxter Healthcare Corp. approached the college with the idea for the program soon after it moved into its Newbury Park facility.

``We were trying to get some home-grown talent,'' said Ernie Bognar, Baxter's manager of manufacturing processes. ``There are two sizable biotech companies here . . . that are searching for entry-level employees who have some concept of what biotech is and what to expect when they get to work.''

Eventually, officials from Thousand Oaks-based Amgen Inc. joined in the discussions with the college.

Once the idea took hold, scientists at both companies helped write the curriculum, provided equipment and materials, and advised the college in setting up a state-of-the-art laboratory at the new California State University, Channel Islands, campus.

Elisabeth Kaszas, operations training manager for Amgen, said the program not only will help students who are new to the field, but also keep current employees up to date with their education and skills.

``We certainly will benefit from the lectures that the program will provide our employees with, knowledge they would not otherwise have,'' she said.

Fifteen students began classes Monday in the second phase of the two-year program, having completed the prerequisite science and statistics classes last year.

The fall semester will revolve primarily around class work, familiarizing students with the equipment and the methods used in the field. Amgen and Baxter scientists also will be guest lecturers.

In the spring, the students will begin working on eight modules in Moorpark's new laboratory now being built at CSUCI. The laboratory is modeled after those found in the industry.

The modules are designed to teach students different aspects of the industry, including plant design, purification, quality control and environmental control.

Upon completion of the program, students would earn a biotechnology technician certificate, an associate of science degree or credits to transfer to a university - any of which would qualify them for an entry-level position.