12 Dec 2025
News
Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute (CCC&TI) is preparing Caldwell County’s workforce for the high-demand careers of tomorrow, offering training programs that directly support emerging industries across North Carolina. As one of Caldwell County Economic Development’s key partners, CCC&TI helps ensure that local talent is aligned with employer needs in biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, and other rapidly growing sectors.
CCC&TI’s BioWork program connects Caldwell County residents directly to life sciences and biomanufacturing opportunities.
Those sectors are booming in North Carolina, with more than 840 companies employing over 75,000 people and generating an estimated $82 billion in annual economic activity. As foremost industry leaders like Pfizer, Merck, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Novo Nordisk expand throughout the state, demand for skilled bioprocessing talent has never been higher.
The 136-hour intensive certificate course prepares students for entry-level roles in bioprocessing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and chemical production. Instructor Patrick Sullins, who brings eight years of industry experience from Baxter, Merck, and Novartis Gene Therapies, says the program leverages the region’s manufacturing heritage.
“Western North Carolina has deep manufacturing roots in furniture, textiles, and more,” Sullins explains. “For people in the region who are hardworking and mechanically skilled, BioWork bridges that gap and helps people apply those abilities in a new, high-demand industry that benefits the community.”
The BioWork program helps students gain industry-aligned experience in:
A highlight of the program is CCC&TI’s fully functional clean room, a rare teaching resource that enables students to work with pharmaceutical-grade equipment typically inaccessible in active production facilities.
Grants and new technology, including an ultra-pure water system, expanded microbiology labs, and endotoxin testing equipment, continue to enhance the program’s capabilities.
BioWork serves both individual students and local employers, with customized training tailored to meet specific workforce needs.
“We collaborate with industry partners, hold stakeholder meetings, and adapt our curriculum based on employer input,” Sullins says.
Looking ahead, the college is expanding its biotechnology associate degree program, exploring university partnerships, and conducting outreach to high schools and underrepresented communities. Scholarship opportunities and multiple annual cohorts help open doors for anyone seeking a life-changing career.
Sullins believes the region is uniquely positioned for growth.
“If we can train a local workforce, companies will see this region as a viable place to grow,” he said. “Data suggests that North Carolina workers are loyal and are more likely to stay with a job long-term, which is appealing for employers.”
Initiatives like BioWork help CCC&TI ensure that Caldwell County’s workforce is prepared for high-demand, high-wage careers in the life sciences, entrepreneurship, advanced manufacturing, and other fields. By connecting local talent with statewide industry opportunities and providing hands-on, customized training, CCC&TI is preparing the region for the jobs of tomorrow, driving economic growth, and strengthening the community.
Contact Caldwell County Economic Development for more information.
Part 1 of a two-part series on workforce development at CCC&TI. Part 2 will explore the college’s Small Business Center and its role in supporting entrepreneurship throughout Caldwell County.
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