CREST Program
Through the Coalition Responsible for Equitable Skills Training (CREST), our Biotechnician Bootcamps offers a transformative adult pivot experiential learning program to quickly and seamlessly enter the Biotechnology and Life Sciences workforce for people who may previously have little to no biology background. The CREST program is investing in the professional development of the community to support the growth and success of the biotech industry in Tennessee. Accepted fellows will learn through theoretical and hands-on experience to meet the professional competencies for entry-level roles in emerging biotech. CREST works with industry and community partners to customize curricula to company-specific needs and to recruit local talent to meet and attract the increasing workforce demand to fulfill those industry roles.
Upcoming Biotech Bootcamp cohort applications now open due May 15!
The CREST Biotech bootcamp will take place between June 1 - July 24, 2026 for 8 weeks of dedicated training scheduled daily, Monday through Friday, 9am - 4pm. Participants who fulfill engagement requirements will receive $1400 stipends every other week for the duration of the bootcamp for the personal investment needed in this upskilling opportunity.
The training will be offered in: Rutherford County and Williamson County. We are working with community college and high school partners to determine appropriate wetlab sites and selected participants will be notified of sites in their notification email. All fellows will complete the bootcamp with a nationally recognized biotech industry certification exam (BACE - Biotechnology Aptitude and Competency Exam) that will take place at a registered site in either of these locations.
Program Duration:
June 1- July 24
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Biotechnician Bootcamp Program
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Duration - 4 weeksJune 1- July 24 | 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
The CREST program offers accelerated Biotech training programs to prepare individuals to step into related STEM fields in entry-level positions to meet the increasing demands of a growing Life Science ecosystem in Middle Tennessee. Credentials in Biotechnology can prepare you for roles as:
Laboratory Technician/Assistant
Biomanufacturing Technician
Quality Control Technician
Research Technician/Assistant
Upstream/Downstream Processing Technician
More
Because training in this space equips individuals with core competencies in a wetlab following standard operations procedures with underlying biological concepts, fellows will leave with skills that extend to many STEM related fields. Some key competencies that will be gained include:
Good manufacturing practices (GMP)
Good documentation practices (GDP)
Aseptic technique and processing
Lab safety
Pipette training
Basic equipment use and maintenance
Basic data analysis and analytical
calculations
Sterilization and decontamination
SOP/batch records
Quality control/quality assurance
Regulatory compliance
Cleanroom gowning
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Eligible applicants must have a high school degree or equivalent certification and be 18 years of age or older.
Additionally, candidates cannot have drug related felonies or crimes of dishonesty on their records. We are intentionally seeking a cohort of a mix of passionate trainees from all backgrounds.
We strongly encourage applicants with or without prior biology knowledge who are seeking a career pivot. This opportunity is seeking adult pivots - applicants must be able to demonstrate their sought-after career pivot.
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To inquire about this program, email Gisele Calderon at gisele.a.calderon@vanderbilt.edu
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We thank the Vanderbilt Institute of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (VINSE) for use of their state-of-the-art cleanroom facilities. Below are images of fellows visiting an ISO 5, Grade A cleanroom, donning the corresponding gowning.
