Durham Tech, partners to spearhead new Bio-Agricultural Program

Durham Technical Community College will partner with Global Agricultural Development Corporation and North Carolina State University to launch a new Bio-Agricultural Program Readiness Opportunity (BioAg Pro), a short-term training program for high school graduates interested in agriculture and plant sciences workforces.

The United States Department of Agricultural National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is also funding up to 40 students to earn as many as three industry-accepted certificates that will qualify them for entry-level positions with agricultural, horticultural, and plant science employers.

The grant funds a total of $500,000 over three years for the Bio Agricultural Program Readiness Opportunity for the Entry-Level Workforce (BioAg PRO).

Durham Tech and Global Agricultural Development Corporation partnered in the BioAg PRO project to address the growing gap between demand and supply for workers in the agronomic, horticultural, and plant science, that delivers short-term credential training for high school graduates.

The BioAg grant funds the tuition and provides stipends to students during the paid internships.

“By intentionally collaborating with industry and other educational institutions we are creating and aligning a dedicated talent development pipeline for the region’s expanding life sciences and biomanufacturing industry. We are preparing our region to be competitive for these rewarding jobs allowing our students to achieve upward economic and social mobility” said Kara Battle, Interim Chief Academic Officer. 

Durham Tech students interested in this grant opportunity can contact BioTech Program Director, Ingrid Charles, at biotechce@durhamtech.edu.

FOR MORE INFORMATION  
Desiree Towson, M.S.: Durham Tech Communications and Public Relations Coordinator at allisontowsond@durhamtech.edu