Biotechnology Information


Frequently Asked Questions ...
Biotechnology and the North Carolina Research Campus

Following are some frequently asked questions concerning biotechnology and the North Carolina Research Campus under construction in Kannapolis. Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (RCCC) students and local residents want to know how they can connect with the opportunities that will develop in the area of biotechnology and the North Carolina Research Campus (NCRC). Provided with these questions are the best responses RCCC can offer at this time.

	What kind of classes should I take now to prepare for biotechnology jobs in our area?
	Your career interests should guide the courses you take. For individuals interested in working as a research assistant or technician in a research and development laboratory, courses in biology, chemistry and biotechnology techniques are essential. RCCC offers an associate degree (AAS) program in Biotechnology in collaboration with Forsyth Technical Community College and Gaston College. In this program, students can take many of the required courses at RCCC but must complete the degree requirements at one of the partner institutions. Individuals interested in careers in bio-manufacturing should consider enrolling in BioWork or in RCCC’s associate degree (AAS) program in Industrial Engineering Technology. BioWork is a 140-hour course offered through Continuing Education. The BioWork course introduces students to the fundamentals of science and bio-manufacturing and prepares them for entry-level jobs. The degree program in Industrial Engineering Technology offers a biotechnology concentration. This program of study includes courses in accounting, productivity analysis and project management and prepares graduates for positions as a productivity analyst, bio-manufacturing associate or facilities manager.

	Give examples of something created as a result of biotechnology.
	Biotechnology is the use of living cells and their molecules to solve problems and make useful products. The range of applications for biotechnology is large, and it impacts our lives in many ways. In medicine, biotechnology is used to prepare vaccines that help prevent hepatitis, meningitis and influenza. In addition, biotechnology is used to create new treatments for disease and diagnostic tests for rapid evaluation. In agriculture, biotechnology improves crop yields through the creation of plants that are more resistant to insects, disease and harsh weather. Corn developed through biotechnology resists the corn borer, one of the most destructive insects in the world. There are also many industrial applications for the technology. Enzymes produced through biotechnology are used for applications as diverse as cheese making, bioethanol production and the manufacturing of stonewashed blue jeans. These are only a few examples; the list goes on and on!

	When will hiring on the research campus begin? How can I apply?
	For any job information specific to the North Carolina Research Campus, as well as other employment opportunities in the area please check with your local Employment Security Commission (ESC). RCCC will be involved with training but will not be involved in job placement.

	What kinds of computer skills will I need to have for the new biotech jobs?
	The minimum computer skills required in most work environments is familiarity with the Microsoft Office suite of software programs. These include Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. Skills using these computer programs will provide a foundation for learning more specialized programs.

	I don’t want to spend two or three years working on an associate degree. Are there some short-term certificates I could obtain? Can I put selected classes together to earn a certificate that would help me gain employment in a biotech field?
	RCCC’s Continuing Education Department offers an introductory course called “BioWork”. BioWork is a 140-hour course exploring the basics of manufacturing technology and the fundamentals of science – two essentials for competent, entry-level technicians in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and chemical manufacturing. Once you have completed the BioWork program, you are eligible to sit for the Process Technician Certification Examination. BioWork-certified graduates enter the workforce ready to learn company operations and tasks. In addition, through its Industrial Engineering Technology Department, RCCC offers a 17-credit-hour Bioprocess Engineering Technology Certificate with selected courses in biology, biotechnology, safety and manufacturing quality control.

	What is a Career Readiness Certificate (CRC), and how does it tie in to the BioWork program?
	Career Readiness Certifications are nationally recognized benchmarks that demonstrate an individual’s readiness for a specific job based upon actual job profiles. Pre-registration and Career Readiness Counseling are required prior to entering the BioWork program. You will need your Career Readiness Certificate (CRC) before enrolling. However, RCCC will walk you through the process in three easy steps. Step 1) counseling through a career advisement lab, Step 2) making any necessary readiness improvements and, Step 3) testing for your CRC. Once you have received your CRC, you are eligible to enroll in the BioWork program.

	What types of jobs other than research scientists are going to be available in the surrounding areas?
	Not all biotech-related jobs require you to be a research scientist. Plenty of supporting roles are necessary for this industry to succeed. There is demand for personnel in areas such as computer networking and maintenance, clerical and administrative support, industrial engineering, instrumentation and calibration, environmental health and safety, facilities and equipment maintenance, construction, finance and accounting – just to name a few. We can only guess at how many supporting role jobs will become available as a result of the NCRC.

	I am a licensed electrician (or have a diploma in HVAC). What classes can I take to help me get a job at a biotech company or at the research campus?
	RCCC’s Department of Industrial and Engineering Technologies recommends the following courses to persons with technical expertise and academic credentials. Introduction to Technology – EGR 115 Industrial Safety – ISC 112 Bioprocess Practices – BPM 110
	Is there one particular trade program that will make me attractive to biotech employers?
	The Industrial Engineering Technology program with the Biotechnology option would be the best program within the Industrial and Engineering Department that has a direct path to the Biotechnology Industry. The Air Conditioning Heating and Refrigeration (HVAC) Program is a very close second as a major support service to the Biotechnology Industry.

	Does RCCC have (or plan to have) training that would prepare workers to maintain and repair lab equipment?
	RCCC has not yet initiated the development of new programs to prepare workers to maintain and repair lab equipment. The associate degree (AAS) program in Electronics Engineering Technology at RCCC provides the broad-based training needed to troubleshoot electronics systems. The specialized equipment used for biotechnology research and development is often supported by the manufacturers of the equipment. Further evaluation is needed to determine if additional training options would be helpful to our local workforce.

	Does RCCC’s current Radiography degree prepare workers for any potential jobs in BioTech? If not, are there any possibilities in the near future?
	Not directly. However, there is a possibility that a background or degree in radiography would qualify a person to work in biotechnology in the area of animal testing or the use of animal size computed tomography units.

	Where can I get help in finding out what I’m good at and the jobs best suited to my skills and interests?
	Individuals will find professionally trained counselors at all three RCCC campus locations, North Campus in Salisbury, South Campus off I-85 Exit 55 in Cabarrus County, and the Cabarrus Business & Technology Center (CBTC) located off Concord Parkway North (Hwy. 29) in Concord. Career advisement services also are available at the R3 Center located at 164 Dale Earnhardt Blvd. in Kannapolis. There are formal, career planning workshops called DISCOVER available at all three campuses. These workshops are held on a regular basis and are free of charge. RCCC’s R3Center will help persons assess and profile their skills, aptitudes, training and academic credentials, and future career interests, and develop a plan for career growth.

	Are the services of the R3 Center in Kannapolis open only to former Pillowtex employees?
	Services at the R3 Center will be available to adult citizens within the Rowan-Cabarrus Community College service area who meet eligibility requirements established through our partnership with the local JobLink Career Centers and the Centralina Workforce Development Board. Referrals will be made to the R3 Center from the local JobLink offices. Priority will be given to adults who have been displaced and require retraining to be eligible for available jobs in the region. Current RCCC students will be able to use the R3 Center’s services if they meet the established requirements for services. These services will be available at no cost to the client.

	I have already used up my unemployment benefits; is there any financial assistance available? Even for continuing education classes? How can I obtain financial aid for my classes?
	First, work with RCCC to identify a career path. Then go by the Employment Security Commission (ESC) office in your area and discuss any available funds for you. Do this even if you have used funds previously and been told you have no more funds available. Also talk with the RCCC Financial Aid Office on any of our campuses to see if you qualify for any assistance funds.

	Will taking Medical Terminology and/or Medical Office Skills and Medical Admissions & Records in HRD help me get a job on the research campus? What about opportunities for phlebotomists and CNAs?
	While there may not be many employment opportunities directly with the North Carolina Research Campus, the projected growth in population should expand the number of health care facilities in the area and increase the demand for trained medical staff in those facilities.

	How will the N.C. Research Campus benefit other businesses in the region? Will there be a positive impact for non-technical business?
	Non-biotech businesses will experience growth as a consequence of the North Carolina Research Campus. As the campus grows, new employment opportunities will emerge in ancillary jobs such as construction, real estate, public safety, retail, hotel and restaurant management, tourism, health care, education, banking, etc. The anticipated growth in the area’s population due to increased housing and job expansion will create a demand for more public schools, more health care, more personal services, more retail, more restaurants, more entertainment, etc. Additionally, there will be increased competition for real estate (including land, residential and commercial properties), skilled workers, and support services. Existing businesses will also need to be prepared to meet the needs of a more diverse population as the campus will attract individuals and companies from across the world.

	Will the SACS decision affect RCCC’s role at the research campus?
	RCCC has worked to address all issues identified by SACS, and a re-evaluation of the college's progress and sanction status will be completed by July 2007. Submission of requests to SACS for approval of new biotechnology programs of study and the new NCRC facility is not planned until after that date. Limitations in available space at the college dictate that new programs in biotechnology cannot be offered until the NCRC building is completed. Current projections estimate this building will be completed by the end of 2008.

	Will biotechnology put out chemicals and be hazardous to the environment?
	Biotechnology involves the use of living cells and their molecules. The chemicals and reagents typically used in biotechnology research and development are compatible with life and are not hazardous to the environment.

	Will someone be able to get a biotechnology job after taking the Biowork course?
	This course establishes the basic principles of biotechnology manufacturing and processing. The skills developed through this course are transferable to today’s technical manufacturing environments as well. This course will be utilized in pre-employment training programs as biotechnology companies grow or migrate to this area. The course will also help individuals understand the demands of a biotechnology manufacturing environment and can be used as an opportunity to evaluate an individual’s interest and aptitude for a higher level degree in biotechnology applications.

	What else is the college doing to prepare citizens for jobs generated from the NC Research Campus?
	Many jobs will emerge from this project that are not biotechnology-focused. These infrastructure jobs are jobs for which the college already has well-established training programs: Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration, Electrical/Electronics, Business Administration, Accounting, Office Systems, Network Administration and Security, Information Systems, Phlebotomy, Nurse Aide, etc. The important message to our citizens is the essential requirement for a minimum high school completion credential. The transition to a knowledge-based economy will require a commitment for continuous training and lifelong learning.