Biotech Companies Still Hiring In Tough Economy
Job Seekers Attend Biotech Career Fair Friday
Updated: 11:21 am CST February 28, 2009
MADISON, Wis. -- One bright spot in the gloomy economic news recently is the success of biotech firms. Many are hiring, even during a tough economic time.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportThe jobs aren't for everyone because they require a science-specific degree or some specialized training. But for qualified applicants, biotech companies are one industry that is still hiring.FluGen is one of many area biotech companies still hiring in a tough economy, partially because of support from the state and the University of Wisconsin."We're a typical biotech, where everybody does everything, from taking out the trash all the way up to cell culture work," said Paul Radspinner, president and CEO of FluGen.Radspinner said the biotech industry is still growing."We are about six people now and we hope to be about 10 in the near future because we've got a lot going on and we're in a good position," said Radspinner. "I think that's pretty typical of what's going on in the biotech community. It's one of those growing sectors, along with energy, that is good for the state and the city right now."That's why 23 companies were talking to more than 100 job seekers at a career fair at the UW Research Park Friday."The biotechnology field is always a very active field, so I don't feel there is any downtime even in this current economy," said Diane Savoie, a medical lab tech looking for a career change from Rochester, Minn.There's always an exception, and some biotech companies have been hurt. Ben Millard works at EMD Chemicals, which will close at the end of 2009."This (job fair) is perfect timing for me, so I'm probably going to stop at every table here," said Millard.He said he wants to stay in the biotech industry but is nervous about the future."They're hiring, yes, but I think as opposed to when I came into the industry seven years ago, it's hiring at a much slower rate because everybody is cautious with the economy right now," said Millard.FluGen said it is looking to find people like Millard, a task that likely won't be difficult."I'm seeing a lot of resumes, e-mails talking to us and looking for jobs. So that is going up, but I do think there are jobs, where in other areas there just aren't any jobs," said Radspinner.Those working in the industry usually need plenty of training. Both UW and Madison Area Technical College offer programs for lab tech positions, which are the most common.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportThe jobs aren't for everyone because they require a science-specific degree or some specialized training. But for qualified applicants, biotech companies are one industry that is still hiring.FluGen is one of many area biotech companies still hiring in a tough economy, partially because of support from the state and the University of Wisconsin."We're a typical biotech, where everybody does everything, from taking out the trash all the way up to cell culture work," said Paul Radspinner, president and CEO of FluGen.Radspinner said the biotech industry is still growing."We are about six people now and we hope to be about 10 in the near future because we've got a lot going on and we're in a good position," said Radspinner. "I think that's pretty typical of what's going on in the biotech community. It's one of those growing sectors, along with energy, that is good for the state and the city right now."That's why 23 companies were talking to more than 100 job seekers at a career fair at the UW Research Park Friday."The biotechnology field is always a very active field, so I don't feel there is any downtime even in this current economy," said Diane Savoie, a medical lab tech looking for a career change from Rochester, Minn.There's always an exception, and some biotech companies have been hurt. Ben Millard works at EMD Chemicals, which will close at the end of 2009."This (job fair) is perfect timing for me, so I'm probably going to stop at every table here," said Millard.He said he wants to stay in the biotech industry but is nervous about the future."They're hiring, yes, but I think as opposed to when I came into the industry seven years ago, it's hiring at a much slower rate because everybody is cautious with the economy right now," said Millard.FluGen said it is looking to find people like Millard, a task that likely won't be difficult."I'm seeing a lot of resumes, e-mails talking to us and looking for jobs. So that is going up, but I do think there are jobs, where in other areas there just aren't any jobs," said Radspinner.Those working in the industry usually need plenty of training. Both UW and Madison Area Technical College offer programs for lab tech positions, which are the most common. Copyright 2009 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
