Congratulations to former Vanguard Sontisha Jordan of Warren County! Sontisha was one of 69 individuals recognized at the inaugural Accelerate NC Career Celebration on May 7. The event honored those who had recently secured life sciences jobs after successfully completing BioWork, a certificate program that teaches the fundamentals of working as a process technician in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or chemical manufacturing facilities. VGCC is one of just 13 North Carolina community colleges to offer the program.
Since completing BioWork at Vance-Granville Community College, Sontisha has become a Bulk Formulation Technician at bioMérieux. She spends her working hours operating high speed equipment used in production and packaging, as well as preparing and formulating the liquid reagents that fill the finished product in a compliant manner.
The successful Accelerate NC – Life Sciences Manufacturing coalition is the result of a sizeable U.S. Economic Development Administration “Build Back Better” Regional Challenge grant awarded in fall 2022. Vance-Granville received approximately $1.75 million from that grant to enhance its biotechnology program. Those funds have been well-spent, preparing students like Sontisha for a fulfilling new career in about two months.
VGCC offers BioWork as a hybrid course, combining online learning with a weekly in-person lab at the College’s Franklin Campus. Find information about upcoming BioWork courses on our Occupational Extension page.
