VGCC offers BioWork training program at night on two campuses

Classes to train area residents for jobs in the growing biotechnology manufacturing field are scheduled to start in August at both Vance-Granville Community College’s Franklin County Campus and at the main campus in Vance County. Both campuses have state-of-the-art biotechnology labs in which to conduct the “BioWork” Process Technician training course.

 

BioWork classes will be held on Main Campus on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6 until 10 p.m., Aug. 17 through Dec. 7. Franklin Campus classes are scheduled for Wednesdays and Thursdays from 6 until 10:30 p.m., Aug. 24 through Dec. 15.

 

BioWork is a training course that prepares men and women for employment as process technicians within bioprocess, pharmaceutical, or chemical manufacturing companies. The rigorous 128-hour curriculum covers topics such as workplace safety, chemistry, process control, and microbiology.

 

The curriculum also provides students with extensive ‘hands-on’ laboratory experience. Certified Bioprocessing technicians are in demand throughout the state, potentially finding opportunities at area companies such as Novozymes in Franklinton, Revlon in Oxford and Proctor & Gamble in Henderson.

 

VGCC has offered the BioWork course since 2001, but it was previously held only at the Franklin Campus. The training program was developed by a team that included VGCC, the N.C. Biotechnology Center, the N.C. Community College System, Novozymes and 15 other biotech companies.

 

The cost of the course is $175, plus $75 in fees and certification costs. Students may be eligible for certain types of funding or scholarships through various agencies.

 

A high school diploma or GED is the only pre-requisite for the course.

 

For more information or to pre-register, call VGCC’s Main Campus at (252) 738-3324 or the Franklin Campus at (919) 496-1567.