A Q&A Conversation on Workforce Growth in St. Louis
At BioSTL, we believe people are the foundation of the St. Louis bioscience economy. This summer, we celebrated our Biotechnology Essentials Skills Training (MO-BEST) graduates alongside the volunteers and partners who make these programs possible.
To learn more about the impact of these efforts, we sat down with Sally Steuterman, BioSTL’s Manager of Scientific Training Partnerships, and Mayra Taylor Garcia, BioSTL’s Manager of Strategic Workforce Initiatives. Together, they shared insights on BioBootCamp, the importance of short-term training programs, and the essential role volunteers play in building St. Louis’ bioscience workforce.
How MO-BEST Prepares Job Seekers for Bioscience Careers
Q: For those who may not be familiar, what is MO-BEST?
Sally: MoBEST is our pre-apprenticeship program—short-term training that bridges into registered apprenticeships. All of our training programs are rapid six- to twelve-week training programs, averaging about 24 hours total. These programs help participants gain hands-on lab skills, test for bioscience core competencies, and earn micro-credentials. Graduates are prepared to step into lab technician or manufacturing technician roles right away.
Q: Why are pre-apprenticeship programs like MO-BEST so important for St. Louis job seekers?
Sally: Many people are excited about the growing bioscience scene in St. Louis, but don’t yet have the skills or credentials to enter it. MO-BEST bridges that gap by giving them focused, hands-on training that leads to real job opportunities. We emphasize nationally recognized credentials through the Bioscience Core Skills Institute, so graduates’ skills transfer anywhere, whether they stay in St. Louis or move to another bioscience hub, such as Boston or Virginia.
Q: Can you share more about the summer 2025 MO-BEST graduates?
Sally: We had three cohorts graduate this summer, hosted at Rung for Women, FWCA, and EmploySTL. Each partner site added unique supports—resume coaching, professional development, or extended job training—so students could choose the model that worked best for them.
An inspiring moment this summer was helping a student complete her training. She first engaged with us at a job fair last year, but couldn’t join right away because of childcare needs. She kept trying until we partnered with EmploySTL, which provided onsite childcare. Finally, nearly a year later, she was able to complete the training. Her persistence and finding the right partner in EmploySTL to meet her needs made it possible.
The Impact of Volunteers on St. Louis’ Bioscience Talent Pipeline
Q: This year’s event also recognized volunteers. Who are they?
Mayra: Our volunteers are a diverse group of people who truly take our initiatives to the next level. They include professionals from various industries. Representation has come from MilliporeSigma, Boeing, and Cardinal Health, as well as graduate students who are experts in fields like cancer biology and immunology. We’ve even had undergraduate students volunteer with us. Through our Regional Youth Employment Coalition (RYEC), volunteers also include youth development organizations, training providers, and employers. Together, they form the backbone of our ecosystem.
Q: Why are volunteers so important?
Mayra: We couldn’t do what we do without our volunteers. In fact, RYEC is entirely volunteer-led—they have created a searchable online learning tool, developed a free Employability Skills Portfolio, and even organized an annual youth employment conference.
For our Project Lead The Way Initiatives, volunteers serve as judges for our scholarship competitions. They are the experts who understand the students’ projects in ways we cannot, and their input is invaluable.
That’s why we started an annual Volunteer Recognition Event last year: to give back to the people who give so much to us. It’s one night where we’re not asking them to work (haha)—instead, they can simply enjoy themselves, connect with others, and receive a small token of appreciation.
Q: Are there upcoming volunteer opportunities?
Mayra: Yes! We always have volunteer opportunities coming up for anyone who is interested. Whether you can come for 10 minutes to speak to a BCSI class, come to a particular event, or mentor a student. We have something for everyone’s capacity.
Our next two events are the October 13th PLTW kickoff event and the November 18th Youth Conference organized by RYEC. Sign up to volunteer with us here!
Bringing It All Together
This year’s combined graduation and volunteer recognition wasn’t just a ceremony—it was a celebration of both students and the community. Graduates gained valuable networking opportunities, volunteers saw the impact of their support, and together they reflected the heart of BioSTL’s mission: building St. Louis’ bioscience economy by investing in people.
From inspiring student stories demonstrating persistence to the dedication of volunteers from across the industry, MO-BEST and its supporters are opening doors for St. Louisans to thrive in science and technology.