Guilford Technical Community College is launching a new biotechnology program starting this fall.
Biotechnology is a multidisciplinary field that combines natural sciences and engineering. In North Carolina, and Guilford County specifically, the biomanufacturing industry is growing rapidly.
According to the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, there were more than 800 life sciences companies in the state by the end of 2023, which employed 75,000 people.
Guilford Technical Community College officials say the new, largely hands-on, Biotechnology - Bioprocess Manufacturing Technology program is meant to prepare students for those high-demand jobs, like bioprocess technicians, pharmaceutical production specialists, and quality assurance analysts.
The program can be completed over five semesters. At the end of it, students will graduate with an associate degree in applied sciences.
Amy Diaz covers education for WFDD in partnership with Report For America. You can follow her on Twitter at @amydiaze.