CA AB2702

Establishes a bioscience worker training initiative in Division 11 of the Unemployment Insurance Code to be developed by the Office of the Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development and the California Workforce Development Board in collaboration with the California Economic Strategy Panel.

Initiative aims to increase California worker skills in the competitive global biosciences manufacturing and science value chain through partnerships with the biosciences sector, life science industry, community colleges, CSU, UC, the Employment Development Department, trade associations, and labor unions.

Requires development of a strategy to support regionally based workforce intermediaries that will provide one-time trainings, retraining, and ongoing training in advanced scientific research and development, particularly in life science sectors supporting biosciences manufacturing.

Defines "science value chain" as the process of adding economic value through research, development, manufacturing, and scaling of bioscience products for market sale.

Defines "workforce intermediaries" as entities connecting employer demand with worker interest and multiple funding sources, including state and local governments, community colleges, and community-based organizations.