RCCC Plans More Programs
to Meet Research Campus Employer Needs

           SALISBURY, N.C. -- Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (RCCC) is planning a certification program and assessing the need for an associate degree program in clinical research. Such programs will prepare students to work as clinical research technicians or assistants, typical jobs being created by the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis.

           The N.C. Research Campus announced at an April 9 news conference that PPD Inc., a global contract research company, plans to lease a 40,000-square-foot facility on the campus, creating 200-300 new jobs. The continuing education clinical research certificate program being planned by RCCC and the potential associate degree program will meet a primary workforce need of organizations like PPD.

           "RCCC is working with North Carolina BioNetwork staff from the BioEducation Center at Gaston College to develop a new certification program that will be offered through our Continuing Education department. This program will train students for entry-level positions within clinical research organizations," explained Jeanie Moore, RCCC vice president of continuing education.
"The college also is conducting a feasibility study of the region to measure local industry needs, as a first step in planning an associate degree program in clinical research. PPD's plans at the North Carolina Research Campus will be a significant part of our assessment," Moore added.

           RCCC currently offers associate degree programs in biotechnology and agricultural biotechnology.

           The AAS program in biotechnology will prepare students for jobs in biotechnology research and development. Program graduates may pursue employment as lab technicians, research assistants and quality control associates, and work with different types of employers, including small testing labs to large manufacturers, biotech companies, government laboratories, and research universities.

           The AAS program in agricultural biotechnology is designed to meet the increasing demand for skilled laboratory technicians in various fields of biological, chemical and agricultural technology. The program will prepare graduates to serve as research assistants to biologists and chemists, laboratory technicians and instrumentation technicians, and quality control/quality assurance technicians. Graduates may pursue positions with various industry, university and government employers, including jobs in research and development, manufacturing, sales, customer service, and the production of bioengineered crops.

           RCCC also offers the 132-hour "BioWork" course through its Continuing Education department. BioWork is an introductory course combining the basics of manufacturing technology and the fundamentals of science. BioWork gives students a broad overview of the biotechnology industry.

           A study commissioned by the City of Kannapolis in 2006 projects 2,220 new biotech-related jobs will come to the region by the end of 2008 and more than 13,900 such jobs by 2032. According to the study, the research campus also will stimulate job growth in other employment sectors.

           Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is a comprehensive, community-based institution of higher learning, serving the citizens of Rowan and Cabarrus Counties. RCCC offers approximately 40 programs of study in business, health and human services and engineering technologies at multiple campus locations. RCCC annually provides more than 2,000 course offerings, serving an enrollment of approximately 20,000 adult students. RCCC programs include an associate degree in arts and sciences, an associate degree in applied science, and diploma and certificate programs focusing on workforce training, continuing education and basic skills education.

           In addition, RCCC provides the education and job-training programs needed to meet many of the workforce demands of the North Carolina Research Campus, under construction in Kannapolis, N.C.

           For complete details, see the RCCC website at www.rowancabarrus.edu.