BioWork

The BioWork certificate program will teach you the foundational skills you need to begin a career as a process technician for a biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or chemical manufacturing company.

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BioWork
BioWork
What is BioWork?

The BioWork certificate program will teach you the foundational skills you need to begin a career as a process technician for a biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or chemical manufacturing company.  Process technicians are responsible for the production of chemical and pharmaceutical products. 

Process Technicians

  • Operate, monitor, and control the production process.
  • Receive, transport, and store materials.
  • Collect and analyze materials used in production.
  • Inspect and maintain the production equipment and control systems.
  • Keep critical records on the process and product.
  • Maintain company safety, health, and environmental standards. 
What is covered in BioWork?

Topics

  • Biotechnology Industry and Job Overview
  • Working Safely
  • Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP)
  • Measurements, Metrics, and Math
  • Chemistry for Process Manufacturing
  • Process Flows, Technology, and Equipment
  • Controlling the Process and Maintaining Quality
  • Aseptic Processing
  • Fermentation and Cell Growth
  • Job Search, Resumes, and Interviews

Audience

We designed this course to cater to a wide range of student backgrounds and career goals. Are you just out of high school and looking to get started in a growing industry, or have you been working and are ready for a change? BioWork will help you take your career to the next level.

Before you can register for BioWork, you should:

  • Have earned a high school diploma or equivalent.
  • Attend an information session.
  • Complete reading and math placement tests.

Objectives

After successful completion, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of quality systems such as International Standards Organization (ISO) and Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP).
  • Measure length, volume, mass, and pressure using the metric system.
  • Identify workplace safety hazards.
  • Understand separation methods including evaporation, distillation, precipitation, crystallization, filtration, liquid extraction and chromatography.
  • Operate process equipment including an autoclave, incubator, microscope, balance, refractometer, pH meter, conductivity meter, and bioreactor.
  • Work aseptically to minimize product contamination.
  • Provide the optimal conditions for growing cells.
  • Apply and interview with confidence for an entry-level process technician job at a North Carolina pharmaceutical or biotechnology company.
Complete the Information Session

How long does this take?
It should take about 30 minutes.

What is the process?
Completing this process will prepare you for the placement test at your selected college(s).

Step 1: Select your preferred college(s).
Step 2: View the Info Session (about 25 minutes).
Step 3: Submit your contact information.

What happens then?
Your selected college(s) will receive your information and contact you within a few business days. They will help you with registration for the placement test and BioWork program. Please inquire with the college(s) for class schedule details such as dates, days, times, cost, instructor, materials and location.

Which community colleges offer BioWork?
David Battigelli
Instructor, Biotechnology
Michelle Sabaoun
Department Head, Biotechnology
After completing the Info Session you will be taken to a form to submit your information to Alamance Community College. If you would like to submit your information to multiple colleges then go to Step 1 first.
Upcoming Classes
Title Start - End Time Delivered
BioWork Apr 12 - Jun 14, 2025 All day Hybrid
Rick Shew
Director, Customized Training and Work-Based Learning; Instructor
After completing the Info Session you will be taken to a form to submit your information to Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute. If you would like to submit your information to multiple colleges then go to Step 1 first.
Patricia Anderson
Interim Director of Industry Services
Dr. Lisa Smelser
Program Director, Biotechnology Programs
After completing the Info Session you will be taken to a form to submit your information to Central Carolina Community College. If you would like to submit your information to multiple colleges then go to Step 1 first.
Cynthia Faucet
HEERF Admin Assistant
Megan Johnson
Workforce Development Coordinator
After completing the Info Session you will be taken to a form to submit your information to Craven Community College. If you would like to submit your information to multiple colleges then go to Step 1 first.
Upcoming Classes
Title Start - End Time Delivered
BioWork Apr 15 - May 12, 2025 8:00am - 4:00pm Face-to-Face
BioWork Apr 29 - Jul 22, 2025 5:30 - 9:30pm Face-to-Face
BioWork Jun 2 - 26, 2025 8:00am - 4:00pm Face-to-Face
BioWork Jul 7 - 30, 2025 8:00am - 4:00pm Face-to-Face
BioWork Aug 12 - Oct 23, 2025 5:30 - 9:30pm Hybrid
BioWork Aug 18 - Sep 12, 2025 8:00am - 4:00pm Face-to-Face
BioWork Sep 22 - Oct 16, 2025 8:00am - 4:00pm Face-to-Face
BioWork Oct 27 - Nov 27, 2025 8:00am - 4:00pm Face-to-Face
Telicia Hunter
Curriculum Developer​ Biotechnology
After completing the Info Session you will be taken to a form to submit your information to Durham Technical Community College. If you would like to submit your information to multiple colleges then go to Step 1 first.
Upcoming Classes
Title Start - End Time Delivered
BioWork May 6 - Jul 18, 2025 6:00 - 8:00pm Live Instructor Led
BioWork May 9 - Jul 18, 2025 6:00 - 10:00pm Face-to-Face
Kyrone Nebolisa
BioWork Instructor
After completing the Info Session you will be taken to a form to submit your information to Fayetteville Technical Community College. If you would like to submit your information to multiple colleges then go to Step 1 first.
Melissa Lentz
Career Pathway Navigator
Caitlin Young
Biotechnology Instructor
After completing the Info Session you will be taken to a form to submit your information to Johnston Community College. If you would like to submit your information to multiple colleges then go to Step 1 first.
After completing the Info Session you will be taken to a form to submit your information to Piedmont Community College. If you would like to submit your information to multiple colleges then go to Step 1 first.
Christina Weeks
Biotechnology Department Chair
After completing the Info Session you will be taken to a form to submit your information to Pitt Community College. If you would like to submit your information to multiple colleges then go to Step 1 first.
Lori Miller
Account Manager, Business Services
After completing the Info Session you will be taken to a form to submit your information to Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. If you would like to submit your information to multiple colleges then go to Step 1 first.
Stewart Lyon
Program Head of Bioprocess / Biotechnology
Elisa Rodwell
Director for Occupational Extension
After completing the Info Session you will be taken to a form to submit your information to Vance-Granville Community College. If you would like to submit your information to multiple colleges then go to Step 1 first.
Upcoming Classes
Title Start - End Time Delivered
BioWork May 28 - Jul 30, 2025 All day Hybrid
Cynthia Lawrence
Director of Biotechnology & WCE
After completing the Info Session you will be taken to a form to submit your information to Wake Technical Community College. If you would like to submit your information to multiple colleges then go to Step 1 first.
Upcoming Classes
Title Start - End Time Delivered
BioWork May 19 - Aug 6, 2025 1:00 - 4:00pm Hybrid
BioWork May 19 - Aug 5, 2025 6:00 - 9:00pm Hybrid
BioWork May 20 - Aug 7, 2025 9:00 - 11:30am Hybrid
BioWork May 20 - Aug 7, 2025 1:00 - 3:30pm Hybrid
BioWork May 27 - Aug 12, 2025 6:00 - 9:00pm Hybrid
BioWork May 28 - Aug 14, 2025 6:00 - 9:00pm Hybrid
Melissa Vandemark
Director of Workforce Development
After completing the Info Session you will be taken to a form to submit your information to Wilson Community College. If you would like to submit your information to multiple colleges then go to Step 1 first.