In 2019, the CEO Council for Growth, University City Science Center, and University City District’s West Philadelphia Skills Initiative convened a partnership to leverage their resources and networks on an initiative to support and grow the Philadelphia region’s cell and gene therapy and connected health industries. The stimulus for this partnership arose from a need, identified by various stakeholders, to understand the growth of and gaps in the cell and gene therapy and connected health workforce in Greater Philadelphia. Econsult Solutions, Inc. (ESI) was hired to provide an independent assessment of the future workforce and talent needs of the industries.
To determine the scope of the cell and gene therapy and connected health sectors in the eleven-county region, ESI used LinkedIn Talent Insights and Burning Glass Labor Insights to determine both the labor market supply and demand, respectively, for the cell and gene therapy and connected health sectors in Greater Philadelphia. Primary research was also conducted through surveys, interviews, and focus groups consisting of professionals with knowledge of the sectors, including academic researchers, industry and human resources experts, and workforce development organizations. Both quantitative and qualitative data and subsequent analysis informed our understanding of the scope of the sectors and identified barriers and opportunities for growth in Greater Philadelphia.
This report was funded in part by a grant from The Lenfest Foundation and supported by the investors in the Cell and Gene Therapy and Connected Health Initiative.
