RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK – While the pace of hiring has been ramping up in the Triangle and across North Carolina, considerable talent gaps continue to dampen the region’s economic recovery.
WRAL TechWire examined this dynamic last week in a multi-part series covering the state’s emerging “jobs conundrum.” Pandemic-related concerns and lack of financial incentives play into this shortfall, as NC State economist Mike Walden pointed out in a column.
Employers are scrambling to fill high-demand roles in healthcare, drug development and biotechnology, as today’s Jobs Report shows. Jobs in tech-centric occupations like software development and information technology are also readily available.
by Mindy Hamlin, NCBiotech Writer May 12, 2021 .
Editor’s note: Each Wednesday, WRAL TechWire features a story highlighting the NC Bio Jobs Hub initiative. Go to the Bio Jobs Hub for more stories and info on life sciences job opportunities made possible by NC’s workforce training initiatives.
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK – After his son underwent open heart surgery, Edward McGill decided to make a career change to prioritize his son’s care. He also needed to ensure his family’s financial stability. These priorities led him to Johnston Community College’s (JCC) BioWork Certificate program.
The 136-hour program provides students with the required foundational skills for a career as a process technician in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals or chemical manufacturing. Courses focus on topics including the biotechnology industry, work safety, current good manufacturing processes (cGMP) and chemistry for process manufacturing, among others.
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK – The U.S. Department of Labor reported last week that nationwide unemployment has now hit the lowest point since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020. Around 498,000 Americans filed unemployment claims in the last week of April, down by 92,000 from the previous week. North Carolina saw new claims drop by about 3,440 in the same period.
But that doesn’t mean the pandemic recession is over. North Carolina is still tens of thousands of jobs short of where the state was in March 2020.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ newly released April jobs report shows a significant decline in hiring. According to the report, U.S. businesses added 266,000 new jobs in April, a notable drop from March’s revised total of 770,000. April’s unemployment rate remains at 6.1%, a tiny change from 6% in March.
The biomanufacturing industry makes products that sustain and improve life for many people. But creating vaccines, medications and therapeutics requires the right ingredients at the right time. The pandemic is rewriting how many companies do business. Whether securing raw materials, working with clients or training workers, the industry is evolving. Business North Carolina magazine, along with North Carolina Biosciences Organization, invited six leaders to discuss their industryâs current status, its biggest needs and where itâs headed.
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â¢â¢â¢ SPONSORED SECTION â¢â¢â¢
BioNetwork Capstone Center, BTEC, Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, Nexsen Pruet and North Carolina Biosciences Organization sponsored the discussion.
Business North Carolina Publisher Ben Kinney moderated the discussion.
Editor's note: Each Wednesday, WRAL TechWire features a story highlighting the NC Bio Jobs Hub initiative. Go to the Bio Jobs Hub for more stories and info on