Maryland school unveils master’s program to train formulators
Worker mobility creating unfilled job openings
Companies of all sorts have reported difficulty filling jobs since the start of the pandemic, a result of what some observers have termed ‘The Great Resignation.’ CNBC reported earlier this year that the trend continues, with 44% of US workers still falling into the ‘job seekers’ category.
Growth in the dietary supplement industry seems to have cooled slightly since the height of the global pandemic, which might serve to lessen the demand for new and replacement employees. Still, what Joe Lawrence, founder of headhunter firm Natural Industry Jobs told NutraIngredients-USA last year still holds true, that being that the pandemic has reset the baseline for the dietary supplement industry.
“General health and immunity health are creating jobs across this category and others. From ingredients through to the retail, and all points in between, we see continued category and employment growth,” Lawrence said. “Our ‘glass is half full view’ is that health, nutrition and immune health awareness are at an all-time high, and that demand will continue to fuel growth within our industry.”
New program specific to industry needs
To help meet the demand for new skilled workers within that environment, MUIH announced today that it will being offering a Master of Science Herbal Product Design and Manufacture program this fall. The program will be available in both an in-person format (at the school’s MD,) as well as a distance learning option. The program is designed to be completed in as little as two years.
MIUH says the program, which is said to be the only one of its kind in the United States, will combine traditional herbal knowledge with evidence-based scientific research. The school said the skill set acquired by graduates will match what herbal product manufacturers have said they are looking for.
The school said that the program was designed with the input of its Herbal Design Business Advisory Group. This body is said to have representation from business leaders, federal agencies and trade associations in the herbal product field.
“The herbal product design and manufacture program prepares students to engage with existing companies or as entrepreneurs in multiple roles, providing quality assurance, research, product development, and Federal regulatory guidance. Topics include botany, medicine making, botanical safety, research, quality assurance, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), analytical chemistry, phytochemistry, business strategies, Structure/Function, and New Dietary Ingredient (NDI) claims,” said Dr Michael (Bhodi) Tims, MIUH’s program director of herbal product design and cannais science.
