As more biological products move through the development and Food and Drug Administration approval process, biotechnology companies will need specialized facilities to manufacture those products.
North Carolina has developed a strong contingent of biomanufacturing plants and a work force trained to operate them.
The BioWork course, developed by the Biotechnology Center and offered through North Carolina’s community colleges, helps train process technicians for biomanufacturing jobs. Many different kinds of workers are needed in the industry, ranging from mechanics and HVAC technicians to chemical engineers, chemists and microbiologists.
To assess changing company work force training needs, the Biotechnology Center conducted a survey of biomanufacturing companies in late 2002. The survey results are documented in our Window on the Workplace 2003 report.
The Golden Leaf Foundation and NCBIO provided the study funding. A limited number of printed reports are available by contacting Amy Black at 919-541-9366.