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.
Course Image
BioWork

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 Delivery Format
BioWork Mon, Jan 6 - Mon, Mar 3 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.

Upcoming Classes
Title Start - End Time Delivery Format
BioWork Thu, Jan 9 - Thu, May 8 2025 All day Hybrid
BioWork Thu, Jan 9 - Thu, May 8 2025 All day Hybrid
BioWork Fri, Feb 7 - Thu, Apr 10 2025 All day Hybrid
BioWork Wed, Mar 12 - Thu, May 8 2025 All day Hybrid
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.

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 Delivery Format
BioWork Mon, Jan 27 - Fri, May 2 2025 9:00 - 10:00am Hybrid
BioWork Tue, Feb 4 - Fri, Apr 18 2025 6:00 - 7:00pm On Demand
BioWork Fri, Feb 7 - Fri, Apr 18 2025 6:00 - 7:00pm Hybrid
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.

Upcoming Classes
Title Start - End Time Delivery Format
BioWork Mon, Jan 13 - Thu, Mar 13 2025 All day Hybrid
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.

Upcoming Classes
Title Start - End Time Delivery Format
BioWork Mon, Jan 6 - Mon, Apr 28 2025 8:00am - 12:00pm Face-to-Face
BioWork Mon, Jan 6 - Mon, Apr 28 2025 6:00 - 10:00pm Face-to-Face
BioWork Tue, Jan 7 - Thu, Apr 24 2025 8:00am - 12:00pm Face-to-Face
BioWork Tue, Jan 7 - Thu, Apr 24 2025 1:00 - 5:00pm Face-to-Face
BioWork Tue, Jan 7 - Thu, Apr 24 2025 6:00 - 10:00pm Face-to-Face

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.

Upcoming Classes
Title Start - End Time Delivery Format
BioWork Tue, Feb 11 - Tue, Apr 29 2025 5:30 - 9:30pm Hybrid
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.

Upcoming Classes
Title Start - End Time Delivery Format
BioWork Tue, Jan 21 - Thu, Apr 10 2025 6:00 - 10:00pm Face-to-Face
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.

Upcoming Classes
Title Start - End Time Delivery Format
BioWork Mon, Feb 17 - Tue, Apr 22 2025 8:30am - 12:30pm Face-to-Face
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 Delivery Format
BioWork Tue, Jan 7 - Tue, Mar 4 2025 All day Hybrid
BioWork Wed, Mar 19 - Thu, May 15 2025 All day Hybrid
BioWork Wed, May 28 - Wed, 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 Delivery Format
BioWork Mon, Jan 13 - Tue, Apr 22 2025 6:00 - 9:00pm Hybrid
BioWork Mon, Jan 13 - Fri, Apr 18 2025 9:00 - 11:30am Hybrid
BioWork Mon, Jan 13 - Wed, Apr 16 2025 6:00 - 9:00pm Hybrid
BioWork Tue, Jan 14 - Fri, Apr 18 2025 1:00 - 3:30pm Hybrid
BioWork Wed, Jan 8 - Fri, Apr 18 2025 6:00 - 8:00pm Hybrid
BioWork Mon, Jan 13 - Tue, Apr 22 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.

Upcoming Classes
Title Start - End Time Delivery Format
BioWork Mon, Jan 6 - Mon, May 5 2025 12:00 - 2:30pm Face-to-Face
BioWork Mon, Jan 6 - Mon, Apr 28 2025 6:00 - 10:00pm Hybrid
BioWork Mon, Jan 6 - Mon, Apr 28 2025 All day On Demand