Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Midlands Tech students complete pilot life sciences program

Melinda Waldrop //May 9, 2022//

Midlands Tech students complete pilot life sciences program

Melinda Waldrop //May 9, 2022//

Listen to this article

Midlands Tech students became the first in the state to complete a pilot life sciences certificate program. (Photo/Provided)

Midlands Technical College has become first in South Carolina to introduce a new SCBIO Life Sciences Pharmaceutical Manufacturing certificate program.

The inaugural class completed the 48-hour curriculum, developed in conjunction with SCBIO and in partnership with industry leaders, on May 6. The certificate is the first of several planned for rollout over the next 12 months, including a program nearing launch at Greenville Technical College, according to a news release.

Highlights of the program include an overview of the pharmaceutical industry; introduction to quality assurance principles; a regulatory overview; documentation practices and measurement skills; and 12 hours towards an Essential Skills for the Workplace certificate.

“Midlands Technical College is proud to be the educational partner for this pilot program that supports the life science industry, a high-growth industry in the Palmetto State. We are always interested in providing our community with the education needed to be successful in the workforce,” Ryan Hemby, MTC business solutions director, said in the release.

Tuition for the program is covered by industry partners. Those interested in registering for upcoming classes should visit https://midlandstech.formstack.com/forms/scbio.

The pilot program, the first of its kind in South Carolina offered by the Technical College System, reflects the growing demand for skilled workers in the life sciences industry, which has a presence in 42 of the state’s 46 counties, boasts more than $25 billion in annual economic impact and features average wages nearly 80% higher than the state average.

“Life sciences is a major driver of South Carolina’s economy today, and this new certificate program is a first step in addressing the talent needs of the industry’s surging growth, reach and rapidly rising economic significance,” said Erin Ford, SCBIO COO and executive vice president. “We’re laser-focused on doing all that we can to train, retrain and encourage South Carolinians to pursue and prepare for careers in life sciences, an industry that improves quality of life and economic standing for South Carolina citizens.”

SCBIO also has initiatives underway with state colleges and universities to connect students with life science industry partners and to share life science career opportunities with K-12 students statewide.

The life science industry has grown more than 42% since 2017, according to the release, with South Carolina now home to 1,033 life science companies.

-