Wake Tech, Dorcas Ministries team up to empower job seekers

Three years ago, Joyce Galarza moved from Puerto Rico to North Carolina with her husband and young child. In this unfamiliar place, she knew only a few people and found herself struggling to find a job. While chatting with another mom at a park she learned about an opportunity to receive training through the BioWork certificate program at Wake Technical Community College as part of a cohort supported by Dorcas Ministries. 

“The education I received as part of the Dorcas BioWork Cohort was everything I needed,” said Galarza, who completed the program in 2023 and now works in environmental monitoring for a company that provides testing services to biopharma and life sciences companies. “I learned, had fun, and met really wonderful people along the way. I also received guidance and help building a strong resume, which allowed me to secure a job related to my education.”

Strengthening the community through partnership 

Since 2021, Dorcas Ministries — a community organization that assists people in the Cary and Morrisville areas who are experiencing a crisis — has partnered with Wake Tech for a variety of workforce development cohorts. In 2023 and 2024, this partnership enabled 11 people to complete the BioWork program at Wake Tech. BioWork is a statewide certification program that provides training in the fundamentals of working as a process technician in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or chemical manufacturing facilities. 

For the two cohorts, Wake Tech covered course and material costs using Build Back Better Regional Challenge funds awarded to a statewide coalition of public and private partner organizations and institutions led by the North Carolina Biotechnology Center. Wake Tech also offered resume writing workshops and career guidance to ensure students were prepared to enter the industry after completing the BioWork program.

"These types of community collaborations are key, as many hands make light work,” said Cynthia L. Lawrence, Ph.D., director of biotechnology workforce continuing education at Wake Tech. “By partnering with Dorcas Ministries and other community groups, we can achieve more together. Reaching out and working alongside others strengthens our efforts and ensures that when someone gains employment, the whole community benefits."

Building a support system

Amanda Renfroe, workforce development program manager at Dorcas Ministries, pointed out that it can be very intimidating to go to college for the first time or to return to school for more training. “Doing this in a group helps students build a sense of community,” she said. “Short 3-to-6-month training opportunities like BioWork help them gain the skills they need quickly to land living-wage jobs or increase their income, so they and their family members can thrive.”  

Dorcas Ministries provided the BioWork students with a monthly stipend and supported the cohort by hosting biweekly meetings, providing meals and fostering collaboration and mutual support. The stipend helped them afford the cost of retraining, which often comes with added childcare and transportation expenses. 

“On average, 90% of the cohort students complete their course,” said Renfroe. “Students also report feeling more confident in their career readiness skills and sense of community. We are continuing to learn more about life sciences companies in the area, so we can improve the content of the professional development meetings, better supporting future cohorts and preparing them for careers in life sciences.”

Galarza said that she appreciated the fact that the BioWork program was very accessible, packing all the relevant information into a short course. “This is very effective for people like me who are looking to start working quickly,” she said. “I have been able to apply all of the knowledge I acquired during the program, daily on the job — from good documentation practices to calculating flow rate, to reading pressure, and everything in between.”

Creating a win-win

Wake Tech has expanded its partnership model with a cohort of 19 students from NCWorks enrolled in the BioWork program this fall. NCWorks — an N.C. workforce development program that helps connect job seekers with employers — sponsored and vetted the students while Wake Tech facilitated information sessions about the program. Looking ahead, Wake Tech plans to continue its collaboration with Dorcas to support future BioWork cohorts.

"Whenever we help someone find employment, it's a win-win for everyone," said Lawrence. "They're gaining a good living wage, improving their quality of life and even buying homes. Many of the companies we work with want to retain employees once they’re hired and will continue to invest in their education to help them advance their career.”