UNC Pembroke will offer a free, two-week bioprocessing course to prepare individuals for entry-level roles in the biopharmaceutical manufacturing industry. The training will be held from Dec. 8-19, at UNC Pembroke’s Biotechnology Research and Training Center, located at Carolina Commerce and Technology Park (COMtech) at 115 Livermore Drive in Pembroke.

The course will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day and is open to adults ages 18+ who have earned a high school diploma or GED. Only 12 spots are available. Interested participants can register through the biomanufacturing training webpage. Enrollees must complete five online modules before the in-person training. Those who complete the program will receive several certifications, including an advanced credential in biopharmaceutical manufacturing.

The initiative is part of Accelerate NC – Life Sciences Manufacturing, a statewide effort supported by a $25 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge. The program, led by the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, aims to strengthen regional economies through workforce development.

UNCP collaborates with five biopharmaceutical industries, including Amgen, Biogen, Novo-Nordisk, Pfizer and Fujifilm Diosynth. Six former participants have acquired valuable knowledge and hands-on experience through the course and are now successfully employed in the industries. Now in its fifth round since launching in January 2024, the course offers a valuable opportunity for hands-on training and industry-recognized certifications. 

For more information, contact Dr. Ashley Batts Allen at biotraining@uncp.edu.