SANFORD - Central Carolina Community College is included in a new project with the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL).

This grant will support tuition and fees for 12 veterans to go through the CCCC BioWork certificate program. These students will learn the skills to gain an entry-level position in forensic laboratories, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and research and development. This training is anticipated to be scheduled for four weeks in early 2021.

Dr. Lisa Smelser, CCCC Lead Instructor for Biotechnology Programs, said: "Central Carolina BioWork is honored to collaborate with industry and academic partners with NIIMBL support to create a direct path to short-term training for our military community. Military members have the skills and aptitude that are well-matched for careers in the biopharmaceutical industry."

New manufacturing technologies are crucial to bringing safe, life-saving treatments to patients faster and, now more than ever, the biopharma industry, is seeing an increased demand for skilled talent," states Kelvin H. Lee, Institute Director, said in a media release, adding, "NIIMBL is strategically positioned to bring forth collaborative innovation to meet the growing needs of the industry through our industry, academic and government stakeholders."

CCCC's participation is included in the Talent and Workforce Development Projects. The project is titled: Military Service Members in Biopharma Manufacturing (MSMBM). The Lead for the project is the Texas A&M University System. Participants besides CCCC include the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, Pfizer Inc., Wake Technical Community College, Gaston College, Durham Technical Community College, and Merck & Co. Inc.

To learn more about the BioWork program and the Bioprocess Technology program, contact Dr. Lisa Smelser, CCCC Lead Instructor for Biotechnology Programs, at lsmelser@cccc.edu.

To learn more about the CCCC BioWork program, visit www.cccc.edu/biowork.

To learn more about the CCCC Bioprocess Technology program, visit www.cccc.edu/curriculum/majors/bioprocess.