Statewide Training and Education
North Carolina is the number three state in biotechnology in the United States. One reason for the state’s prominence is its investment in workforce training and education specifically for biotechnology and the life sciences. The NC Research Campus is an easy distance from the state’s training programs: the NC Community Colleges’ BioNetwork, BTEC and BRITE.
BioNetwork
The NC Community Colleges’ BioNetwork is a statewide program that supports the life science training needs of the state’s 58 community colleges. BioNetwork’s seven centers train community college students and incumbent workers on the evolving technological requirements of the pharmaceutical, biomanufacturing and life science industry. Through the NC Community College’s, BioNetwork supports two-year associate degrees in life sciences and bridges the path to four-year degrees via reciprocal agreements with the University of North Carolina System.
BTEC and BRITE
North Carolina offers additional training programs. The Golden LEAF Biotechnology Training and Education Center (BTEC), located on NC State University’s Centennial Campus, offers training in a hands-on, cGMP simulated environment. NC Central University’s Biotechnology Research Institute and Technology Enterprise in Durham offers BS and MS degrees in pharmaceutical sciences that prepare students for careers in biomanufacturing, research and development, bioprocessing and pharmaceuticals.
NCBioImpact
NCBioImpact is a statewide consortium dedicated to training the state’s biotechnology and life sciences workforce. Member organizations are the Golden LEAF Foundation, NC Biosciences Organization (NCBIO), BTEC, BioNetwork, BRITE and the NC Biotechnology Center. NCBioImpact is committed to developing the most highly skilled and well-educated workforce to support biomanufacturing, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Members offer continuing education for current professionals; two year associate degrees through the NC Community Colleges; and four-year university degrees. All of the training takes place in state-of-the-art facilities that parallel industry laboratories and manufacturing plants.