Apprenti Launches First Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship Cohort with Leading Biopharmaceutical Manufacturer [Press Release]
Updated: Jul 24
SEATTLE, WA — June 23, 2026 — A leading global biopharmaceutical manufacturer has launched a new Registered Apprenticeship (RA) program that will create a sustainable pipeline of manufacturing workers at its New Jersey facility.
Developed in partnership with Apprenti, a leading apprenticeship intermediary, the inaugural cohort is the first Life Science Registered Apprenticeship program launched under the newly-filed Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Technician US Department of Labor standards. This announcement maintains Apprenti’s momentum in national life science Registered Apprenticeship work. The standards for this cohort incorporate an iterative feedback process between the sponsor, the apprentice supervisors, and a blend of national and local education providers who will administer the cohort’s Related Technical Instruction.
Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Technicians support the production of medications by operating precision machinery and ensuring compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP). The inaugural cohort will run from May 2026 through August 2027, combining front-loaded online and laboratory-based instruction with hands-on, employer-aligned training. Developed through close collaboration between Apprenti, the employer, and local training providers, the program is designed to equip apprentices with the technical competencies needed to succeed on the job while supporting the employer’s long-term workforce and retention goals.
The program arrives at a critical moment for pharmaceutical and biomanufacturing companies, which are grappling with workforce shortages, an aging labor force, and increasing demand for skilled manufacturing talent.
“Life sciences employers are recognizing that they can’t hire their way out of talent shortages,” said Daniel Weagle, Director of Life Science Business Development at Apprenti. “This apprenticeship program demonstrates that employers can support domestic drug production and innovation, while creating cost-effective, accessible pathways into high-demand careers.”
The apprenticeship was created in response to workforce challenges at the manufacturer’s New Jersey operations. The program will include a focus on automation engineering training, which is the number one application area cited by Life Science Industry Executives in the 2026 Life Sciences Workforce Trends Report jointly released by Life Sciences Workforce Collaborative and Teconomy Partners. Through Registered Apprenticeship, participants earn wages while receiving structured on-the-job training and technical instruction aligned to industry requirements.
The launch also marks an important milestone for the broader life-sciences sector. With the approval of Apprenti’s Biomanufacturing Technician apprenticeship standards, pharmaceutical and biotechnology employers now have access to a nationally recognized framework for developing manufacturing talent through apprenticeship.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, approximately 93% of Registered Apprentices remain employed after completing their programs. This makes apprenticeship one of the most effective workforce development strategies for building long-term talent pipelines.
“Employers need workforce solutions that deliver more than candidates—they need talent development strategies that support retention, productivity, and long-term business growth,” said Karla Talanian, Consulting Director of Life Sciences for Apprenti from Longview Advising. “This partnership demonstrates what’s possible when employers invest in building talent rather than competing for limited existing talent.”
The program also leveraged Apprenti’s Employer of Record (EOR) solution through a strategic partner, enabling the employer to overcome internal hiring constraints around W2 employment and rapidly launch the apprenticeship program. Apprenti expects the model to serve as a blueprint for apprenticeship expansion across pharmaceutical manufacturing occupations as employers seek new approaches to meeting workforce demands.
This program builds upon the foundation set in successfully filing the Biomanufacturing Technician Standards which were created in close partnership with the Life Sciences Workforce Collaborative (LSWC) and InnovATEBIO as part of a high-impact NIIMBL-funded project.
Employers interested in building sustainable talent pipelines through Registered Apprenticeship are encouraged to connect with Daniel Weagle at dweagle@apprenticareers.org.
About Apprenti
Apprenti is the national leader and recognized Registered Apprenticeship Intermediary. We deliver Registered Apprenticeship programs for 30+ occupations that enable your current employees and new hires across high-demand STEM industries, including technology, healthcare, human resources, advanced manufacturing, banking, and finance. We offer a proven path to high retention and measurable ROI.
By connecting individuals to structured, earn-and-learn career pathways, Apprenti creates economic mobility for workers and sustainable talent solutions for employers. Since its founding in 2016, Apprenti has trained over 6,500 apprentices while helping over 350 companies across the United States build their skilled, technical workforce.
Learn more at apprenticareers.org.
About Registered Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship applies a model with centuries of precedent to modern careers: workers earn wages on day one, benefit from experienced mentors, and receive classroom instruction. Registered Apprenticeships (RA) are occupation-specific apprenticeship programs validated by the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) that result in nationally portable credentials. Apprenti is an apprenticeship intermediary, working with employers to design and deploy RA solutions that meet their workforce needs. Learn more at apprenticeship.gov.
Media Contact: Jen Peters, pr@apprenticareers.org
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