Partnering With Spokane Community College To Build A Biomanufacturing Certification Program

Interview with Tyler Wolf, Senior Manufacturing Resource Manager at Jubilant HollisterStier

Jubilant HollisterStier (JHS) has teamed up with Spokane Community College (SCC) to launch a new “Introduction to Biomanufacturing” program aimed at preparing local students for careers in the growing life sciences industry. According to Tyler, a representative from JHS, the partnership reflects the company’s long-standing commitment to community engagement and workforce development. “It’s really exciting to partner industry and education,” Tyler shared. “We’ve been around for over 100 years, and this is a great way to give back.”

The program is particularly focused on attracting students from local community colleges, offering a practical entry point into pharmaceutical manufacturing. With JHS currently expanding its operations—adding lines three and four—the demand for skilled talent is increasing. The partnership with SCC is seen as a way to not only meet that demand but also to cultivate long-term career opportunities for local residents.

The curriculum was developed in close collaboration with SCC faculty, incorporating real-world insights from JHS through facility tours and training in current good manufacturing practices (cGMPs) and good documentation practices. The course lays a solid foundation for understanding sterile injectable and vaccine production, aligning academic learning with industry standards.

Tyler emphasized that the goal isn’t just to create jobs, but to build careers. Graduates of the program are guaranteed an interview for an internship at JHS, with broader opportunities in manufacturing also available. With competitive wages, benefits, and growth potential, the initiative helps students establish meaningful, long-term careers in Spokane’s expanding biopharma landscape.