Adopting Biomanufacturing Skill Standards in Texas: How it is Different from Doing a DACUM

Austin Community College received a Type 2 Perkins Grant to develop and implement biomanufacturing skill standards. Last year, the Biotechnology Program developed a level 2 certificate in biomanufacturing. This year, the program received a grant to populate the courses with specific biomanufacturing skill standards so that it could be implemented Fall 2013. Skill standard development in Texas is different than doing a DACUM in that, in addition to developing critical work functions and corresponding key activities, the performance level for each activity is also developed. This means, not only are the work functions and key activities for biomanufacturing are specified by industry, but also the level of performance for each activity. This is what makes this different from doing a DACUM. The work functions and key activities are determined by line workers who actually do them everyday and the level is determined by their supervisors. In both cases, these individuals are the subject matter experts or SMEs. In addition they help the educators determine what resources (e.g. specific equipment needs, teaching materials) educational programs will need and also what knowledge and soft skills are needed for line workers to correctly perform their jobs.

Last week, ACC sponsored the face to face meeting of the line workers. The next step will be the review of the critical work function/key activity/ performance criteria document by the supervisors.