Massachusetts vaccine makers cite talent pipeline, childcare as biggest barriers to recruitment - Boston Herald
By Amy Sokolow
As vaccine makers, including Pfizer and Moderna, have ramped up production to save millions of lives, they’re still struggling to hire and retain workers…
Andrea Wagner, the chief technical officer from Berkshires Sterile Manufacturing in Lee, encouraged other biotech companies to consider a move to Western Massachusetts.
“There is a huge need for sustainable jobs out here,” she said. “Although we do have trouble finding talent similar to you, the cost of living is lower (and) the educational structure here is similar, if not better than Boston.”
She added, though, that a lack of childcare has been a major issue for employees. The company tried to solve this issue by giving space in its facility to a nonprofit daycare in exchange for discounted daycare for employees, but the daycare has been short-staffed and partially closed since the pandemic began.