Six Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and one Historically American Indian University (HAIU) in North Carolina have come together to launch a new coalition named HBCU/HAIU to increase accessibility to the biopharmaceutical industry. This initiative is part of a larger partnership called the Accelerate NC-Life Sciences Manufacturing Coalition, which has been awarded $25 million by the federal government to promote diversity in the medical manufacturing sector within the state.
The HBCU/HAIU Coalition, led by North Carolina Central University, aims to create regional hubs across the state to train individuals for entry-level positions in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. The coalition’s first regional hub will be launched at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, which is the HAIU within the coalition.
Through this program, participants will undergo 80 hours of in-person bioprocessing courses led by instructors trained at NC Central. The curriculum will cover various aspects of working in a sterile environment, upstream/downstream processing, and equipment operation. The training program is free and open to both college students and community members.
The program’s launch at UNC-Pembroke is particularly significant as it increases accessibility to individuals who may have faced obstacles, such as travel expenses, and provides them with an opportunity to gain valuable skills without leaving their local community. The coalition aims to create equitable talent pipelines to ensure that underserved populations have the chance to pursue job opportunities in the life sciences manufacturing industry.
While being located in a rural area has its challenges, the coalition remains optimistic about attracting industry partners to expand into these regions. By training a skilled workforce, the hope is that it will incentivize these partners to consider setting up operations in rural areas like Robeson County.
One of the coalition’s goals is to bridge the gap between individuals seeking entry-level positions in bioprocessing and the industry’s demand for skilled professionals. The program aims to equip participants with the necessary expertise to pursue careers in the pharmaceutical industry. By completing online modules and a two-week class, individuals become eligible for entry-level positions in various companies.
The program at UNC-Pembroke will commence on January 22 and run until February 2. In addition to this initial training, the university plans to offer additional sessions during the summer. UNC-Pembroke is just one of the many hubs within the HBCU/HAIU Coalition, with other participating universities including Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Livingstone College, Saint Augustine’s University, and Winston-Salem State University. These institutions will also launch their respective bioprocessing training programs later in 2024.
The launch of the HBCU/HAIU Coalition’s regional hubs signifies a significant stride forward in diversifying the biopharmaceutical industry in North Carolina. By providing accessible training opportunities, the coalition aims to empower individuals from historically marginalized communities to pursue and succeed in the life sciences manufacturing sector.
