Feb. 9 Symposium to Highlight Training Programs for Biomanufacturing Jobs

Are you interested in a career with good pay and benefits? Or do you know someone who is? Then biomanufacturing might be the ticket.

An upcoming half-day symposium will highlight training programs in North Carolina that can provide the right skills and credentials to land a job in this growing field.

The Biomanufacturing and Process Development (BPD) BioGrow Training and Education Symposium is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 9, from 12:30 to 5 p.m. at the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, 15 T.W. Alexander Drive in Research Triangle Park. The event is free and open to the public, but online registration is required.

“We encourage anyone who is interested in learning more about training or career opportunities in the biomanufacturing industry to attend,” said Katie Stember, Ph.D., director of life science economic development at the Biotech Center.

“This event will feature representatives from diverse biomanufacturing training programs in North Carolina with course offerings that range from certificate programs through graduate degrees,” Stember said. “Plus, attendees will be inspired by a panel of recent graduates sharing their paths to a career in the industry and informed by a panel of established industry representatives who will share insider tips for getting hired at their companies.”

Representatives from Abzena, Astellas Gene Therapies, KBI Biopharma, FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies and Duke University will speak.

The symposium will cover training opportunities throughout the state, including those at these institutions:

• East Carolina University and its Eastern Region Pharma Center, a workforce development partnership with 15 pharmaceutical companies and five regional community colleges.
• The Golden LEAF Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center (BTEC) at North Carolina State University’s Centennial Campus in Raleigh.
• N.C. BioNetwork, the life sciences training initiative of the North Carolina Community College System. The initiative sponsors BioWork, a certificate program that teaches the foundational skills needed to begin a career as a process technician for a biotechnology, pharmaceutical or chemical manufacturing company.
• North Carolina Central University’s Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise (BRITE), a program focused on health-related research and degree-based workforce development.
• NC State’s microbial biotechnology programs.
• Several community colleges that offer BioWork and other training courses and programs in biomanufacturing and biotechnology, including Durham Tech, Forsyth Tech, Wake Tech, Central Carolina and Vance Granville.

The symposium will also include networking opportunities.

The event is sponsored by Kymanox, a Morrisville-based company that helps life sciences companies develop and commercialize drugs, biologics and medical devices.

It is organized by the Biomanufacturing and Process Development exchange group, a forum for process development and manufacturing scientists and engineers to discuss bioprocessing issues and solutions. Students, trainees and transitioning professionals are also involved in the exchange group, one of about 20 such groups supported statewide by the Biotech Center.

For more information and resources about job opportunities in biomanufacturing and other life sciences sectors, see the Bio Jobs Hub, sponsored by the Biotech Center in collaboration with WRAL TechWire.