Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (RCCC) is planning a certification program and assessing the need for an associate degree program in clinical research to prepare students to work at the nearby North Carolina Research Campus.
Wilmington-based PPD, a global contract research company, has announced plans to lease a 40,000-square-foot facility on the N.C. Research Campus in Kannapolis, creating 200 to 300 new jobs.
The continuing education clinical research certificate program being planned by Salisbury-based RCCC and the potential associate degree program will meet a primary workforce need of organizations like PPD for clinical research technicians and assistants.
RCCC is working with North Carolina BioNetwork staff from the BioEducation Center at Gaston College to develop the new certification program, said Jeanie Moore, RCCC vice president of continuing education.
"The college also is conducting a feasibility study of the region to measure local industry needs, as a first step in planning an associate degree program in clinical research. PPD's plans at the North Carolina Research Campus will be a significant part of our assessment," Moore added.
RCCC currently offers associate degree programs in biotechnology and agricultural biotechnology.