CLAYTON – Novo Nordisk, Johnston County’s largest private employer and a leader in diabetes and obesity care, has generously donated a state-of-the-art Fanuc manufacturing robot to Johnston Community College (JCC) for use in its biotechnology and engineering training programs.
Several packaging and automation engineers from Novo Nordisk presented the robot on Tuesday at the Johnston County Workforce Development Center, sharing insights and expertise to help ensure JCC instructors and students get the most out of this advanced technology.
“We are excited to support JCC with this donation,” said Jamie Ellis, Novo Nordisk Project Manager and Engineer, who led the donation initiative. “Providing students with hands-on experience in robotics allows them to build essential skills that are directly applicable in the biotechnology field. Collaborating with local institutions is crucial for nurturing the future workforce.”
The newly donated robot previously played a vital role in Novo Nordisk’s production lines for packaging diabetes and obesity medications. Brand new, these robots can cost between $25,000 and $30,000. After evolving operational needs made the robot’s specific setup surplus, the company recognized that donating the robot was a great opportunity to enrich JCC’s educational landscape. Rather than being scrapped or left in storage, the robot now has a second life in the classroom, where it will continue contributing to innovation and learning.
“We’re proud to offer training that will prepare individuals for high-tech, well-paying jobs in the biotechnology sector,” said Dr. Vern Lindquist, President of Johnston Community College. “We provide a variety of courses and an associate degree curriculum to meet the growing needs of our diverse community. It’s far more effective than textbooks and theory to have our students learn how to maintain, program, and code on real equipment. With our highly skilled faculty and robots like this, it genuinely makes our students feel as though they’re already working in the biotechnology industry while still in the classroom.”
Biotechnology Instructor Melissa Robbins said the donation came just in time.
“We just added automation to our program after speaking with our industry partners. We didn’t have anything like this until now,” Robbins added.
Students who train on the new robot will gain the knowledge to take a Fanuc certification test.
Novo Nordisk has enjoyed a longstanding partnership with JCC, collaborating closely with instructors to enhance educational offerings and outcomes for students. With over 2,000 employees at its Clayton manufacturing sites, Novo Nordisk has been part of the Johnston County community for more than 30 years. The company’s ongoing commitment includes the investment in a third production facility, a $4.1 billion project calling for 1,000 new jobs that highlights the importance of advanced technology, including robotics and automation, in producing life-changing medicines.
This donation marks another significant milestone for JCC, ensuring that students are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the ever-evolving biotechnology industry.
