A day-long trade mission organized by Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty to celebrate the state's involvement in bioscience has cast a spotlight on Anoka-Ramsey Community College's strength as an employee-training provider for area bioscience firms and as a provider of biomedical technology education.

The May 7 trade mission included stops at the State Capitol, two biomedical research facilities at the University of Minnesota and the corporate headquarters of Synovis Life Technology, a bioscience firm headquartered in St. Paul. Along the way, trade mission attendees heard how the growing bioscience industry has produced positive benefits for the state’s economy and its quality of life. A key theme that emerged throughout the day was that in order to remain a leader in the bioscience arena, the state must maintain strong ties amongst its public research and training facilities and its private businesses.

Planners of the trade mission highlighted Anoka-Ramsey Community College (ARCC) for its successful biotechnology business partnerships. Through the college’s Continuing Education and Customized Training Division, special training programs have been developed with the aid of Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Board (MJSP) grants.

Dr. Patrick M. Johns, ARCC's president, spoke to the group about how state-funded partnerships have helped the college develop specialized training for three area companies.
• Synovis Life Technologies, Inc., whose Lino Lakes facility produces component parts for medical devices, received a $310,000 MJSP grant to have ARCC develop a training program to improve employee proficiency in soldering, assembling, resistance welding and laser welding.
• Transoma Medical, whose Arden Hills facility will soon produce implantation equipment to monitor congestive heart disease, received more than $600,000 in MJSP grants to have ARCC help the company transition from a purely research and development firm to a medical device manufacturer. ARCC has also developed a broad curriculum to help prepare new employees for the heavily regulated medical device industry.
• Possis Medical, Inc., whose Coon Rapids facility produces medical treatment devices, has received more than $500,000 in MJSP grants to have ARCC develop training to help support rapid product development and improved manufacturing capabilities.

Dr. Johns said that these training programs have not only aided the three companies. They’ve also helped the college become an area leader in biomedical technology training for all students at ARCC.

"These partnerships will result in long-term institutional and educational benefits for both parties," says ARCC Customized Training Program Director Denise Gamble. "ARCC now offers degree and certificate programs for Biomedical Technologists, Biomedical Technicians, and Clinical Research Specialists as a direct result of our collaborations with these biomedical device companies and MJSP."

In addition, Johns says, the partnership with Transoma Medical will lead to the development of a Center of Excellence in Telemetry and Telemedicine.

"This will provide much-needed practice and demonstration of microsurgery and telemedicine both for biomedical students and for professionals," Johns says.

Two of the biotechnology firms have taken their partnerships with ARCC one step further. Robert Scott, the Possis vice president for manufacturing operations and IT chief security officer, and Rick Kravik, the Synovis interventional solutions engineer, both serve as instructors in ARCC’s biomedical technology programs.

Anoka-Ramsey Community College, with campuses in Coon Rapids and Cambridge, has been a leading provider of higher education and training in the north suburban area of Minneapolis/St. Paul and East Central Minnesota since 1965. Annually, the college serves over 8,000 learners of all ages as they pursue associate degrees that transfer as the first two years of a bachelor's degree, or certificate programs that lead immediately to rewarding careers.