BioWork

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BioWork
What is BioWork?

The BioWork certificate program will teach you the foundational skills you need to begin a career as a process technician for a biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or chemical manufacturing company.  Process technicians are responsible for the production of chemical and pharmaceutical products. 

Process Technicians

  • Operate, monitor, and control the production process.
  • Receive, transport, and store materials.
  • Collect and analyze materials used in production.
  • Inspect and maintain the production equipment and control systems.
  • Keep critical records on the process and product.
  • Maintain company safety, health, and environmental standards. 
What is covered in BioWork?

Topics

  • Biotechnology Industry and Job Overview
  • Working Safely
  • Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP)
  • Measurements, Metrics, and Math
  • Chemistry for Process Manufacturing
  • Process Flows, Technology, and Equipment
  • Controlling the Process and Maintaining Quality
  • Aseptic Processing
  • Fermentation and Cell Growth
  • Job Search, Resumes, and Interviews

Audience

We designed this course to cater to a wide range of student backgrounds and career goals. Are you just out of high school and looking to get started in a growing industry, or have you been working and are ready for a change? BioWork will help you take your career to the next level.

Before you can register for BioWork, you should:

  • Have earned a high school diploma or equivalent.
  • Attend an information session.
  • Complete reading and math placement tests.

Objectives

After successful completion, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of quality systems such as International Standards Organization (ISO) and Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP).
  • Measure length, volume, mass, and pressure using the metric system.
  • Identify workplace safety hazards.
  • Understand separation methods including evaporation, distillation, precipitation, crystallization, filtration, liquid extraction and chromatography.
  • Operate process equipment including an autoclave, incubator, microscope, balance, refractometer, pH meter, conductivity meter, and bioreactor.
  • Work aseptically to minimize product contamination.
  • Provide the optimal conditions for growing cells.
  • Apply and interview with confidence for an entry-level process technician job at a North Carolina pharmaceutical or biotechnology company.
BioWork

How long does this take?
It should take about 30 minutes.

What is the process?
Completing this process will prepare you for the placement test at your selected college(s).

Step 1: Select your preferred college(s).
Step 2: View the Info Session (about 25 minutes).
Step 3: Submit your contact information.

What happens then?
Your selected college(s) will receive your information and contact you within a few business days. They will help you with registration for the placement test and BioWork program. Please inquire with the college(s) for class schedule details such as dates, days, times, cost, instructor, materials and location.

Which community colleges offer BioWork?
David Battigelli
Instructor, Biotechnology
Michelle Sabaoun
Department Head, Biotechnology
Eddy van Hunnik
Instructor, Biotechnology

After completing the Info Session you will be taken to a form to submit your information to Alamance Community College. If you would like to submit your information to multiple colleges then go to Step 1 first.

Rick Shew
Director, Customized Training and Work-Based Learning; Instructor

After completing the Info Session you will be taken to a form to submit your information to Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute. If you would like to submit your information to multiple colleges then go to Step 1 first.

Patricia Anderson
Interim Director of Industry Services
Dr. Lisa Smelser
Program Director, Biotechnology Programs

After completing the Info Session you will be taken to a form to submit your information to Central Carolina Community College. If you would like to submit your information to multiple colleges then go to Step 1 first.

Cynthia Faucet
HEERF Admin Assistant
Megan Johnson
Workforce Development Coordinator

After completing the Info Session you will be taken to a form to submit your information to Craven Community College. If you would like to submit your information to multiple colleges then go to Step 1 first.

Upcoming Classes
Title Start - End Time Delivery Format
BioWork Tue, Apr 9 - Thu, Jun 27 2024 5:30 - 9:30pm Face-to-Face
BioWork Tue, Apr 16 - Fri, May 10 2024 8:00am - 12:00pm Face-to-Face
BioWork Wed, May 15 - Wed, Jun 12 2024 8:00am - 12:00pm Face-to-Face
BioWork Mon, Jun 17 - Wed, Jul 17 2024 8:00am - 12:00pm Face-to-Face
BioWork Tue, Jul 9 - Wed, Sep 25 2024 5:30 - 9:30pm Face-to-Face
BioWork Mon, Jul 22 - Thu, Aug 15 2024 8:00am - 12:00pm Face-to-Face
BioWork Mon, Aug 19 - Mon, Sep 16 2024 8:00am - 12:00pm Face-to-Face
BioWork Wed, Sep 18 - Tue, Oct 15 2024 8:00am - 12:00pm Face-to-Face
BioWork Tue, Oct 1 - Sat, Nov 30 2024 5:30 - 9:30pm Face-to-Face
BioWork Mon, Oct 21 - Fri, Nov 15 2024 8:00am - 12:00pm Face-to-Face
BioWork Mon, Nov 18 - Wed, Dec 18 2024 8:00am - 12:00pm Face-to-Face
Telicia Hunter
Curriculum Developer​ Biotechnology

After completing the Info Session you will be taken to a form to submit your information to Durham Technical Community College. If you would like to submit your information to multiple colleges then go to Step 1 first.

Upcoming Classes
Title Start - End Time Delivery Format
BioWork Tue, May 14 - Thu, Jul 18 2024 6:00 - 8:00pm Live Instructor Led
BioWork Wed, May 15 - Thu, Jul 18 2024 6:00 - 10:00pm Hybrid
Rick Lawless
BioWork Instructor

After completing the Info Session you will be taken to a form to submit your information to Fayetteville Technical Community College. If you would like to submit your information to multiple colleges then go to Step 1 first.

Upcoming Classes
Title Start - End Time Delivery Format
BioWork Mon, Apr 29 - Thu, Jun 27 2024 11:00am - 3:00pm Hybrid
Shelley Gardner
Biotechnology Operations Coordinator

After completing the Info Session you will be taken to a form to submit your information to Johnston Community College. If you would like to submit your information to multiple colleges then go to Step 1 first.

After completing the Info Session you will be taken to a form to submit your information to Piedmont Community College. If you would like to submit your information to multiple colleges then go to Step 1 first.

Christina Weeks
Biotechnology Department Chair

After completing the Info Session you will be taken to a form to submit your information to Pitt Community College. If you would like to submit your information to multiple colleges then go to Step 1 first.

Lori Miller
Account Manager, Business Services

After completing the Info Session you will be taken to a form to submit your information to Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. If you would like to submit your information to multiple colleges then go to Step 1 first.

Upcoming Classes
Title Start - End Time Delivery Format
BioWork Mon, May 6 - Wed, Jul 3 2024 12:30 - 4:30pm Face-to-Face
Stewart Lyon
Program Head of Bioprocess / Biotechnology
Lisa Rodwell
Director for Occupational Extension

After completing the Info Session you will be taken to a form to submit your information to Vance-Granville Community College. If you would like to submit your information to multiple colleges then go to Step 1 first.

Cynthia Lawrence
Director of Biotechnology & WCE

After completing the Info Session you will be taken to a form to submit your information to Wake Technical Community College. If you would like to submit your information to multiple colleges then go to Step 1 first.

Upcoming Classes
Title Start - End Time Delivery Format
BioWork Mon, Apr 8 - Fri, Jun 28 2024 6:00 - 8:30pm Live Instructor Led
BioWork Mon, Apr 29 - Wed, Jul 31 2024 6:00 - 9:00pm Face-to-Face
BioWork Mon, Apr 29 - Mon, Jul 29 2024 9:00 - 11:30am Face-to-Face
BioWork Wed, May 1 - Wed, Aug 7 2024 6:00 - 8:30pm Face-to-Face
BioWork Mon, May 6 - Mon, Aug 5 2024 6:00 - 8:30pm Face-to-Face
BioWork Mon, May 6 - Tue, Jul 30 2024 9:00 - 11:30am Face-to-Face
BioWork Tue, May 7 - Wed, Jul 31 2024 5:30 - 8:30pm Face-to-Face
Melissa Vandemark
Director of Workforce Development

After completing the Info Session you will be taken to a form to submit your information to Wilson Community College. If you would like to submit your information to multiple colleges then go to Step 1 first.