Biotility proudly celebrates 20 years of preparing the next generation of workforce talent and enhancing the skills of professionals in the bioscience and biotechnology industries.
Biotility was established as a center at the University of Florida in 2006 to strengthen the workforce pipeline for Florida’s emerging biotechnology sector, with support from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and CareerSource Florida. In collaboration with key stakeholders, Biotility developed a secondary Industrial Biotechnology program alongside certificate-based short courses designed to meet both immediate and future industry needs. Soon after, the Industrial Biotechnology Teacher Experience (IBTE) program was created to provide educators with district certification to teach the career and technical education (CTE) components of these hybrid academic programs.
In the years that followed, Biotility launched its flagship credential, the Biotechnician Assistant Credentialing Exam (BACE). This exam was designed to validate career readiness by assessing core competencies valued in both academic and industry settings. In 2012, the BACE was added to Florida’s list of industry-recognized credentials (IRCs), with adoption expanding nationwide soon after. To better reflect its purpose, the credential was later renamed the Biotechnology Aptitude and Competency Exam, and in 2025, Biotility celebrated a milestone of 10,000 credential earners.
Continuing its commitment to advancing career pathways and supporting workforce demands, Biotility has expanded its portfolio to include specialized credentials that promote both vertical and horizontal career mobility. Building on two decades of innovation in education, training, and credentialing, Biotility remains dedicated to opening doors to new careers—preparing both new and incumbent talent and ensuring a workforce capable of developing, manufacturing, and testing products that impact the world.
➕ Click each segment below to explore a timeline of Biotility’s most significant milestones over the past 20 years.
With support from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and CareerSource Florida, Biotility is established at the University of Florida to strengthen the workforce pipeline for Florida’s emerging biotechnology sector.
In collaboration with key stakeholders, Biotility develops a secondary Industrial Biotechnology program alongside certificate-based short courses designed to meet both immediate and future industry needs.
Biotility then launches the Industrial Biotechnology Teacher Experience (IBTE) program to provide educators with district certification to teach the career and technical education (CTE) components of these hybrid academic programs.
Biotility begins planning for a national biotechnology industry credential, later to be called the Biotechnician Assistant Credentialing Exam (BACE). Planning includes hosting industry focus groups; conducting an occupational needs assessment; identifying skill standards; aligning academic standards, performance standards, industry standards, and national biotech standards; developing initial exam framework; and developing a statewide articulation agreement with the State of Florida.
Biotility informally participates in the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) initiative, sharing the BACE standards as a foundation to the Community College Consortium for Bioscience Credentials and helping lay the framework for National Biomanufacturing Technician Standards.
The BACE credentialing exam—designed to validate career readiness by assessing core competencies valued in both academic and industry settings—is added to Florida’s list of industry-recognized credentials (IRCs) following validation and recognition from BioFlorida, the premier organization supporting Florida’s life sciences industry.
Bio-Link (now InnovATEBIO)—the national biotechnology education center—officially endorses the BACE, adding more industry-backed validation to the exam.
Arizona and Maryland are the first states outside of Florida to adopt the BACE and officially recognize it as an industry credential, paving the way for it to become nationally recognized.
Biotility forms an advisory board to support their mission of building a strong biotechnology workforce and strengthening pathways from education to bioscience careers. Members provide industry guidance to ensure product initiatives align with workplace and hiring needs.
The National Science Foundation-Advanced Technology Education (NSF-ATE) awards Georgia Life Sciences a $1.2M grant to work with Biotility to establish the BACE as a nationally recognized credential.
Biotility and the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI Program) kick off their partnership to offer an exclusive selection of asynchronous bioscience industry training courses. These courses allow learners to expand and deepen their knowledge in technical and regulatory details unique to biotechnology industries and translational research.
To better reflect its purpose, Biotility’s National Industry Advisory Board votes to rename the BACE to the Biotechnology Aptitude and Competency Exam.
Biotility celebrates a substantial milestone of credentialing 10,000 individuals, helping provide validated talent for hire and opening doors to multi-level pathways to employment in the life sciences industry.
Biotility expands its portfolio to include specialized credentials that promote both vertical and horizontal career mobility, allowing earners to confirm expertise in specific fields and helping job candidates stand out in today’s competitive market.