First Cohort Graduates Biomanufacturing Certification Program At Spokane Colleges

Spokane, WA - Ten students graduated from the inaugural Essentials in Biomanufacturing Certification program on June 26, 2025, at Spokane Colleges. Jubilant HollisterStier (JHS), a contract pharmaceutical manufacturing company, partnered with Spokane Colleges to develop this specialized training program to jumpstart careers in the growing life sciences industry.

“This program is an example of what community colleges do to meet employer needs and provide great careers for our students. We’re excited to congratulate this first cohort of graduates, all of whom will now be interviewing for entry-level positions with Jubilant,” said Spokane Colleges Vice President of Workforce Development Julie Parks. “These graduates are now looking at not just an internship and a job, but a career in a growing industry.”

During the 10-week course, students learned directly from industry experts and gained practical experience with on-campus lab time and site visits to JHS’s Spokane manufacturing facility. The course taught foundations in basic biotechnology concepts and techniques, along with hands-on training in manufacturing vaccines and medicines and how to operate, monitor and maintain equipment. Students did not need prior experience or a college degree to enroll.

“Jubilant HollisterStier has been around for a hundred years, so it’s really exciting to give back to the community," said Tyler Wolf, Senior Manufacturing Resource Manager at JHS. “We're not just looking to create jobs. We want to create careers.”

All students who successfully completed the certification program were guaranteed an interview for an internship with JHS. The second session of the certification program will begin on July 7.

About Jubilant HollisterStier

Jubilant HollisterStier (JHS) CMO provides comprehensive sterile fill-finish and lyophilization services, ensuring the consistent delivery of high-quality products that meet the needs of global healthcare markets and patients worldwide. With our decades of experience and dual sites in Spokane and Montréal, we offer a flexible and collaborative partnership model for manufacturing excellence that enables our clients to increase speed to market with full regulatory confidence. Visit www.jublhs.com to learn more.

About Spokane Colleges

Spokane Community College and Spokane Falls Community College are part of Spokane Colleges, one of the largest higher education providers in Eastern Washington, serving about 20,000 students each year. Spokane Colleges provide higher education, early learning and corporate and continuing education services across a six-county region in northeastern Washington. Both colleges are accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Visit scc.spokane.edu to learn more.