A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Project Period:

14 June 1993-13 June 1996

Federal Funding Source:

Department of Education

Federal:

$998,059

Non-Federal:

1,047,895

Total:

$2,045,954

Occupational Area(s):

Agricultural Biotechnology Technician

Status:

Standards were published in December 1994.

Description of standards document:

National Voluntary Occupational Skill Standards: Agricultural Biotechnology Technician defines the technical, employability, and academic skills needed to work as a technician in the emerging field of agricultural biotechnology. Technical skills required of an agricultural biotechnician include communication, safety, basic lab skills, basic microbiology, cell biology techniques, quality control, nucleic acid techniques, protein techniques, regulatory compliance, greenhouse/growth chamber, plant field trials, and animal care and field trials. Employability skills include the ability to follow schedules, practice self-starting techniques, develop and use listening skills, document activities immediately, communicate well with others and recognize the organizational structure (chain of command) of an organization. Academic skills include subjects such as biology, physical science, mathematics and statistics. Under each skill category, the study lists specific knowledge or behaviors that demonstrate mastery of the category.

Description of companion document:

An implementation guide for the standards will assist industry and educational institutions in developing training programs to prepare agricultural biotechnology technicians. The implementation guide includes assessment information for the technical skills, recommendations for linking standards with tech prep/school-to-work initiatives, agricultural biotechnology technical and career information, careers video, and instructional materials for high school agricultural and science programs. The implementation guide (available 3/96) will be disseminated at industry hosted regional workshops.

Excerpt(s) of a standard:

Technical Skill: Agricultural biotechnicians must be proficient in nucleic acid techniques, including the ability to determine specific DNA sequences.

Employability Skill: Agricultural biotechnicians must be able to acquire and record information, including the ability to recognize unexpected results, document activities immediately, and forward information appropriately.

Academic Skill: Cite and explain major cell processes such as respiration and photosynthesis.

Partners:

Agricultural Group of Monsanto Company, American Cyanamid Company, American Farm Bureau Federation, American Veterinary Medical Association, Biotechnology Industry Organization, Boatmen's First National Bank of Kansas City, CENEX/ Land O' Lakes, EDITEK, Inc., Equipment Manufacturers Institute, Fermenta Animal Health Company, International Chemical Workers Union, ISK Biosciences Corporation, John Deere, Kellogg Company, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, Na-Churs Plant Food Company, North Carolina Biotechnology Center, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., Rhone-Poulenc Ag Company, Sandoz Agro, Inc., Santa Fe Pacific Foundation, SIGCO/MYCOGEN Plant Sciences, Upjohn Company, Alabama A&M University, Center for Occupational Research and Development, Colorado State University, Council for Agricultural Science and Technology, Missouri State Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, National FFA Alumni Association, National Association of Supervisors of Agricultural Education, National FFA Foundation, National Post Secondary Agricultural Student Organization, National Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association, National Young Farmer Educational Association, Kansas State Department of Education, National Council for Agricultural Education, University of Florida.

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