New apprenticeships in biomechatronics launched by Wake Tech, industry

Biopharmaceutical manufacturing plants are highly complex factories that use sophisticated facilities and equipment to produce drugs, vaccines and other biologics in a sterile environment and under stringent government regulations. 

Keeping these plants humming efficiently, typically around the clock, is a supreme technical and operational challenge for life sciences companies. Having a talented and trained workforce is critical to their success.

Help is on the way for three major life sciences manufacturing companies in the Research Triangle region, thanks to a new training program sponsored by Wake Technical Community College that is the first of its kind in the nation.

The BioMechatronics Apprenticeship Program, involving CSL Seqirus, FUJIFILM Biotechnologies, and Eli Lilly & Co., will prepare advanced maintenance technicians for high-demand careers at these companies’ production facilities.

The program was formally launched July 28 at a signing ceremony at Wake Tech’s Beltline Education Center in Raleigh. Leaders from Wake Tech, the state Community College System, the life sciences industry and others celebrated with the inaugural cohort of nine apprentices and their families.  

“This workforce development program is an example of how community colleges can be nimble and design training that meets the immediate needs of biotechnology industries that are growing significantly in our region,” said Wake Tech President Scott Ralls, Ph.D. “Our life sciences industry partners need quick training to onboard in-demand technicians in their biopharma facilities, and this program provides that.” 

Collaboration of industry, community colleges

Laura Rowley, Ph.D., vice president of life sciences economic development with the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, applauded the collaborative spirit of the apprenticeship program.   

“The commitment of three leading life sciences employers to provide on-the-job training and leverage the capabilities of our community colleges to create career pathways for North Carolinians to grow in the industry is worthy of celebration,” Rowley said. “We’re thrilled to welcome the inaugural BioMechatronics apprenticeship cohort to our NC life sciences community.”

The BioMechatronics Apprenticeship Program is supported by the North Carolina Life Sciences Apprenticeship Consortium, a group of 12 companies coordinated by NCBiotech. Consortium members work with academic institutions and nonprofit organizations to build awareness of training and career opportunities in life sciences. Current members include CSL Seqirus, FUJIFILM Biotechnologies, Lilly, Amgen, Biogen, KBI Biopharma, Korber, Merck, Novartis, Novonesis, Novo Nordisk and Pfizer.

Multidisciplinary training

The term biomechatronics represents the multidisciplinary nature of the work involved in maintaining pharmaceutical manufacturing plants ─ biological, mechanical, electronic and related applications. 

The apprentices in the BioMechatronics program will take accelerated non-degree courses at Wake Tech’s Beltline Education Center to strengthen their knowledge of mechanical and electrical engineering, motor controls, pneumatics and programmable logic controllers used for industrial automation to prepare them to maintain and repair smart pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturing equipment and ensure it operates safely. 

As part of the program, the apprentices will earn Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA) industry certifications in four areas ─ electrical systems, motor control systems, pneumatic systems and mechanical power systems. They will also gain college credit toward an associate degree. 

The apprentices will receive additional life sciences training in aseptic processing, current good manufacturing practices, writing and reviewing standard operating procedures, and cleanroom gowning. They’ll also receive customized training in workplace safety and health, CPR and first aid. 

After eight months, they will transition to full-time on-the-job training as Maintenance Technicians at either CSL Seqirus, FUJIFILM Biotechnologies or Lilly. Apprentices will be paid a salary starting on day one.

Neighboring Durham Tech is a community college partner for the training, which is a continuation of RTP Bio, a collaboration between Wake Tech and Durham Tech to address workforce training needs of regional biotech employers. 

Next year, this type of training will also take place in Wendell, when Wake Tech opens its state-of-the-art Advanced Technology Center at Wake Tech East.

First cohort ready for work

The inaugural apprentices in the BioMechatronics program are:

• CSL Seqirus: Connor Bowersox, Cody Mercer
• FUJIFILM Biotechnologies: Sean Burgher, Daniel Preheim 
• Lilly: Emily Davis, Brendon Edgerton, Matthew Kennedy, Judah Naiman, Corey Winston

Cody Mercer, 22, said he enrolled in the apprenticeship program with CSL Seqirus, a maker of influenza vaccines in Holly Springs, after reading about it online and talking with his father, Jeremy, about career possibilities in the pharmaceutical industry.

“He told me about how much of an amazing opportunity that it is and all of the different directions that I can go in,” said Cody.

His dad has spent his entire career working in the pharmaceutical industry in the family’s hometown, Wilson, first in packaging and manufacturing at Merck and now in computer software validation at Purdue Pharmaceuticals.

“I recommended it to him because pharmaceuticals has always been good to me,” Jeremy said. “And also I’m a big fan of the Community College System and all that they do.”

Jeremy’s other son, Jason, 21, is also preparing for a career in pharmaceuticals. Like his brother, Jason recently completed the BioWork program, a certificate course that prepares students for entry level jobs in biopharmaceutical plants, at Johnston Community College. He is looking for job openings or may follow Cody in the BioMechatronics Apprenticeship Program.

Jeremy is glad his sons have access to such training opportunities.

“I wish all people who are at the entry level could have that,” he said. “They’re going to have a head start. They won’t have to learn the hard way.”