MADISON, Wis. -- Madison Area Technical College students have become the first in the nation to get hands-on training with human embryonic stem cells.

MATC got the stem cells from WiCell, a nonprofit research institute, to advance stem cell science, through an agreement with the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation.

"We're doing what MATC does best, which is providing people for the workforce," says Dr. Lisa Seidman, a MATC biotechnology instructor.

Seidman helped negotiate the deal that will allow biotechnology students to work with human embryonic stem cells and create a workforce for the Madison area's growing biotechnology industry.

Students in an intensive and advanced biotechnology class began working with the stem cells two weeks ago. Eventually, all MATC biotechnology students will get the opportunity to work with them.

"I never imagined that I would end up in such a hotbed of biotechnology," said Mary Troestler, one of a handful of students who have worked with the stem cells.

Tom Still, head of the Wisconsin Technology Council, said that such programs help enhance Wisconsin's reputation as a center for biotechnology.

Still said the program fills the need for highly trained workers at budding biotechnology companies.

"Being able to have a process where students can actually work in a very hands-on way on those cells, it's a very big advantage for MATC," Still said.