$283,800 grant will support the training of 19 technicians in blended applied engineering and biotechnology curricula.
Johnston Community College (JCC) has accepted 19 students in its inaugural Bio Blend program. Bio Blend, an industry led program, will prepare students to enter a career in the growing biopharmaceutical manufacturing industry within two years. JCC received an award of a $283,880 National Science Foundation Advanced Technologies Education (NSF ATE) grant to train technicians in both Biotechnology and Applied Engineering programs, further strengthening the employment pipeline from community college to industry. Twelve students from Applied Engineering and seven students from Bioprocess Technology were recently accepted into Bio Blend.
Bio Blend is supported by industry partners Grifols and Novo Nordisk. Students accepted 
into Bio Blend are eligible for Bio Blend certification, DeltaV certification, BioWork certification, career development support, and industry internship opportunities. The additional certifications, training in both program areas for all students, and hands-on experience will produce a multi-skilled talent pipeline from college to industry. JCC is the first community college in North Carolina to offer DeltaV training which is a direct response to local biopharmaceutical industry needs.
The goal at the conclusion of the project is that the cohort of 19 technicians will be produced and available for hire by June 2022.
Brian Worley, JCC’s Department Chair of Advanced Technologies, is serving as Principal Investigator of the grant.
