Montgomery College provides a prime example of how to build a dynamic workforce pipeline by aligning education, industry, and government to support career transitions and drive growth.
When hundreds of federal researchers across the BioHealth Capital Region were laid off this spring—many from the NIH, FDA, NIST, and key contracting agencies—a dedicated few at Montgomery College decided to step in and help.
Leading efforts was Mark Nardone, Director of Bio-Trac at Montgomery College, a program based at Montgomery College that provides advanced hands-on training for research scientists at the Germantown Bioscience Education Center.
Within weeks, Nardone mobilized a full-scale job fair specifically for displaced federal scientists. Held on March 31, the event reached capacity within days. More than 120 jobseekers, many highly experienced biomedical professionals, gathered to connect with biotech and pharma employers from across the I-270 corridor. The success of that initial effort along with a 200+ waiting list, spurred the need for continued action. With Nardone organizing, a second job fair took place at the Montgomery College Bioscience Education Center on June 26.
“The scientific community continues to answer our call,” said Nardone. “I am very thankful for this group. They understood the gravity of the current situation and they stepped up without hesitation! These scientists need to know that they are recognized, appreciated and we are here to assist them. The many heartfelt thank you and wishes we received before, during and afterwards was extremely moving and very rewarding.”
With help from area biopharma companies, local and state agencies, and a team of volunteer HR professionals, attendees received professional headshots, more than 100 on-the-spot CV reviews, and access to networking lounges–valuable resources for scientists transitioning from federal roles into private industry.
Why Montgomery College Could Move Quickly
Montgomery College’s rapid response underscores a broader, often overlooked trend: community colleges are emerging as agile, real-time workforce hubs.
Long viewed as stepping stones for early-career learners, these institutions are increasingly positioned to drive regional workforce resilience, especially during economic disruption. Their local governance structures bring together input from municipal leaders, employers, and community voices, allowing them to anticipate workforce needs and respond with speed and precision.
Because they’re grounded in local engagement and supported by targeted public funding, community colleges like Montgomery College are well-positioned to build programs that align directly with evolving industry demands–especially in high-growth, high-wage fields like life sciences, IT, and cybersecurity. For students, this means less debt and faster access to in-demand jobs, supporting both economic mobility and the state’s competitiveness.
Beyond a One-Day Event: A Workforce Ecosystem in Action
Montgomery College’s support of displaced scientists is part of a broader, ongoing effort to integrate education and economic development.
Through initiatives like BioTrain, funded by Maryland’s EARN grant, the college offers specialized training for career changers, incumbent workers, and those affected by job disruptions. Meanwhile, the PIC MC life sciences business park, located on the Germantown campus, brings biotech companies into direct collaboration with students and faculty, creating real-time learning and employment pipelines.
This spring, the college also became a sponsor of Registered Apprenticeships in Biotechnology through the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Program (MATP), partnering with industry leaders like AstraZeneca and Charles River Laboratories. These apprenticeships blend classroom instruction with on-the-job training, preparing participants for careers in biotech and biomanufacturing.
Most recently, Montgomery College announced it received a $100,000 grant to support a program which creates accelerated pathways into teaching careers for displaced federal workers, further expanding Montgomery College’s commitment to workforce reinvention.
Rethinking Workforce Development
Montgomery College is demonstrating that community colleges are more than academic institutions. With the right direction, they’re full-cycle workforce engines. By embedding themselves into the fabric of regional industries and responding quickly to economic shocks, Montgomery College is a good example of reshaping what workforce development looks like in real time.
In the wake of federal layoffs, Montgomery College leaders are modeling the kind of local leadership and innovation that will be essential to growing and, more importantly, sustaining Maryland’s bioeconomy.
