Opportunities for careers in the life sciences continue to abound in the Triangle area, and a new partnership seeks to ensure that more Durham Public Schools students have access to well-paying jobs in the field that will keep them right here at home.
Durham Technical Community College, Durham Public Schools and Novo Nordisk launched the BioWork Career and College Promise course in August 2025 for high school seniors at Southern School of Energy and Sustainability. A special celebration that included DPS Superintendent Dr. Anthony Lewis, Durham Tech President J.B. Buxton, and North Carolina State Rep. Zach Hawkins, was held in October at Southern.
This initiative is a new Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathway that allows DPS high school seniors to graduate with both their high school diploma and a BioWork certificate, making them eligible for employment immediately after finishing high school. It is part of the partnership Durham Tech and DPS forged in 2023 with a goal of ensuring that at least 25 percent of DPS students graduate with both a high school diploma and a workforce credential or associate degree.
The life sciences industry includes the research, development, and production of products to help improve lives. The BioWork program has a particular focus on the production and distribution of pharmaceuticals, including medications and vaccines.
Giving students great opportunities to stay local while building solid skills
“One thing I always preach is that I want students to be able to live in Durham after graduation if they want to,” said Dr. Jameya Jones, DPS Workforce Development Coordinator. “If these students go into this industry it creates endless opportunities for them. Just having this opportunity alone for DPS to create a talent pipeline is amazing.”
While graduates of the BioWork program are fully prepared for employment, the program also equips them to continue their education through four-year college and advanced degree programs.
“We recognize that building a strong, sustainable talent pipeline starts with investing in foundational training programs like BioWork,” said Pecolia Johnson Scott, Strategic Workforce Partnership Specialist with Novo Nordisk. “This partnership allows us to connect with individuals who are eager to enter the life sciences industry and have already demonstrated a commitment to learning the core skills needed for success.”
According to Johnson Scott the critical skills that the BioWork program aims to sharpen for students seeking employment in the life sciences include:
Attention to detail – critical for ensuring product quality and compliance with regulatory standards.
Safety awareness – essential in maintaining a safe working environment in cleanrooms and production areas.
Teamwork – demonstrated through collaborative problem-solving during shift handovers or batch production.
Documentation practices – used daily to maintain accurate records in batch logs and Standard Operating Procedures.
Critical thinking – used to troubleshoot equipment issues or improve production efficiency.
Process improvement – identifying ways to reduce waste or streamline workflows.
Adaptability – adjusting to new technologies, procedures, or shift schedules.
“Students should know that BioWork is more than just a certificate—it’s a launchpad,” said Johnson Scott. The program provides hands-on training, industry-relevant knowledge, and exposure to real-world expectations in pharmaceutical and biomanufacturing environments. For those looking to start a meaningful career in life sciences, BioWork offers a clear, accessible pathway into companies like Novo Nordisk, where they can continue to grow, learn, and make a difference in patients’ lives.”
Students will graduate from the program with the option of entering a well-paying field for which employees are in high demand or continuing their education. Novo Nordisk has employed more than 20 BioWork graduates from Durham Tech from 2023 to 2025. Learn more about Durham Tech’s first dual enrollment student employed at Novo Nordisk.
Bringing college level instruction to the high school classroom
The partnership includes Durham Tech instructors who commute to the Southern High campus to teach BIoWork students. This is an extraordinary example of how higher education can support the K-12 experience.
“Southern High School is yet another excellent example of how we collaborate with families to help students earn workforce credentials while still in high school,” said Oluwunmi Ariyo, Durham Tech director of college recruitment and high school partnerships. “We are intentional in our approach to removing obstacles and expanding access to these opportunities. Our continued goal is to ensure that 25 percent of Durham Public Schools students complete a Durham Tech workforce credential or associate degree by the time they graduate from high school.”
Southern High senior Madison Abbott is one of 10 students in the inaugural BioWork cohort. She said that she wasn’t sure what her career goals were before, but BioWork is giving her a clearer picture of where she might go.
“This has really given me an opportunity to explore my options,” said Madison, who is looking into majoring in business at either the community college or four-year college level.
“I’ve learned that there’s a lot for me to do in this field. There is a business aspect to it.”
Madison pointed to the current unit of study, titled “Operations and Controlling the Processes.”
“Basically in this unit, what we are doing is looking from start to finish the process a drug goes through to get on store shelves,” she said, adding that she’s enjoying the rigor of the BioWork program.
“It’s very different. It’s very face-paced, very heightened,” she said. “And it’s very well organized.”