New Facility Addresses the Skills Gap by Preparing Workers for High-Demand Healthcare and Biotech Careers
(Boston, Mass.)- Jewish Vocational Services (JVS Boston), in collaboration with Quincy College, celebrated the official launch of ArLab, a groundbreaking state-of-the-art healthcare, biotechnology, and life sciences career institute and workforce training facility, providing students with a one stop location to learn, train, and become credentialed in the careers most needed by healthcare and biotechnology employers.
The Jan. 11 evening ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by key members of the Healey/Driscoll administration, including Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll, Secretary of the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones, Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler, Secretary of the Executive Office of Economic Development Yvonne Hao, as well as partners, current and former students, staff, and employers.
“It is exciting to be here to celebrate this partnership with extraordinary partners like JVS and Quincy College who know this work, who know how hard it is, who know what it takes,” said Lt. Governor Driscoll. “It’s pretty special to be able to create spaces, like ArLab, that unlock full potential and help individuals navigate, uplift and empower.”
Located at 122 Arlington Street in the former home of the Boston Center for Adult Education, the building has been completely transformed into an innovative training facility that includes a fully outfitted selection of classrooms and simulated training environments, including a biotechnology lab, sterile processing facility, phlebotomy lab, and hospital patient rooms. ArLab allows for immersive, hands-on training experiences for its students.
“We are committed to fully engaging the previously untapped talent of our neighbors, including workers of color, foreign-born individuals, justice-involved citizens, caregivers, disabled workers, and young and older workers,” said Kira Khazatsky, President and CEO of JVS Boston. “We are so excited to officially launch ArLab and thank our partners and donors in allowing us to make this crucial facility a reality.”
The creation of ArLab was made possible through generous contributions from the Massachusetts Skills Cabinet and the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center. For courses and programs, ArLab is a result of an historic partnership between JVS Boston and Quincy College. The collaboration aims to provide a comprehensive range of educational options by blending higher education with skills training, aligning with the evolving demands of the healthcare, life sciences, and biotechnology industries.
“We’re so proud to see our long collaboration with JVS Boston bring regional workforce-development initiatives to such an exciting new level,” said Dr. Richard DeCristofaro, President of Quincy College. “ArLab is much bigger than the sum of its parts, representing the very best that each organization has to offer in creating educational opportunities for students and in guiding them along pathways to fulfilling professional careers.”
While some course offerings began at ArLab last fall, the Institute is expanding its program portfolio. Upcoming offerings will equip students to become central sterile processing technicians, phlebotomists, patient care technicians, medical office assistants, certified nursing assistants, substance addiction assistants, and biomanufacturing technicians.
ArLab’s vision is to enroll more than 300 students this year and 750 students annually by 2026, setting a strong foundation to positively impact the workforce pipeline now and in the future.
ArLab combines JVS Boston’s and Quincy College’s deep expertise in workforce training and higher education in a unique partnership that prepares workers for high-demand jobs. Targeted training programs prepare students to fulfill the immediate need for highly skilled professionals in healthcare and biotechnology fields, making significant strides in bridging the workforce gap in Massachusetts.
For more information, please visit JVS Boston and ArLab.
