Registered Apprenticeship in Biomanufacturing

Participating Employers:

Click on the employer name to view position openings.

What is a registered apprenticeship?

A registered apprenticeship is an employer-led training model in which unqualified individuals are equipped with the skills to perform the duties of the occupation while earning competitive wages. This is a paid training model where apprentices earn progressively larger wages as their skill level increases. Apprentices learn on-the-job under the supervision of a mentor or “journeyworker”.

Biomanufacturing Technician Role

Biomanufacturing technicians are an important in the process of creating safe, effective medicines. A biomanufacturing technician performs manipulations of equipment, flowpaths, liquids, and other process components in accordance with manufacturing documentation. Work is often done within a cleanroom, a controlled environment with strict regulations for surface and air cleanliness, air flow, and gowning of personnel. Technicians work with a variety of equipment including biosafety cabinets (BSCs), incubators, peristaltic pumps, filtration units, bioreactors, chromatography systems, centrifuges, and more!

TWC Apprenticeship Page

Learn more about apprenticeships for both job seekers and employers

For Job Seekers:

“Earn while you Learn” – Apprentices are paid from Day 1
Learn skills in biomanufacturing, no experience necessary
Must have a high school diploma or GED
Earn a national portable credential from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)
Complete apprenticeship in as little as 1 year, debt free!

For Employers:

Recruit and develop a highly-skilled workforce
Create flexible training options which ensure workers develop the right skills
Receive tax credits
Retain talent by creating a culture of loyalty
Have fully capable employees in as little as 1 year
Screen apprentices during probationary period!

You know you wanna wear this coat!

Hire Apprentices

New employers contact us today for additonal details

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Biomanufacturing?

Biomanufacturing is the use of biological systems to produce large, complex molecules. These molecules can be antibodies, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, lipid nanoparticles, enzymes, other proteins, whole cells, or a combination. These can be used for medicine, biofuels, food, and more! The focus of this program will be for large molecules used in medicine. As a manufacturing technician you are a vital part in the production of proteins, gene therapies, plasmids, monoclonal antibodies and more!
How is this different from Pharmaceutical Manufacturing?

Pharmaceutical manufacturing produces small molecule drugs such as ibuprofen, often taken in tablet or pill form. The steps to produce small molecule drugs are largely organic chemistry based: distillation, solvent extraction, crystallization, etc.

Biomanufacturing produces large molecule drugs such as insulin, requiring injections instead of pills. The steps to produce large molecule drugs are based in biochemistry: cell transformation, cell culturing, liquid chromatography, etc.
How long does the apprenticeship program take?

This program is designed with a hybrid setup: apprentices must complete 18 competencies within 1 – 1.5 years. The 1 – 1.5 years range includes 2,000-3,000 on-the-job training (OJT) hours and 144-216 related technical instruction (RTI) classroom hours. This program has a range of times for completion, not every apprentice may complete all competencies at the minimum 1 year time point.
Do I need to be a Texas Resident?
Can you walk me through the different steps of the apprenticeship?
Complete the interest form with your contact information and select a date for the information session.

Attend a required information session.

Examine participating employers and apprenticeship postings.

Apply to apprenticeship postings you’re interested in.

Employers will screen applications and schedule interviews with apprenticeship candidates.

Employers will select candidates to hire as apprentices. Apprentices will complete onboarding processes with employer.

Employer and NCTM (RTI provider & program sponsor) will review apprentice data to determine any advanced standing (transfer credit).

Apprentices will begin a combination of classroom learning and on-the-job training (OJT) spread over the course of the apprenticeship (1-1.5 years).

Upon completion of RTI and competencies, apprentices will earn their “Journeyman Card”, a credential backed by the U.S. Department of Labor which confirms the individual has the necessary skills to be a biomanufacturing technician.
What if I already have biomanufacturing experience?

Previous biomanufacturing experience can be applied on a case-by-case basis. NCTM may award advanced standing for individuals with relevant coursework. Employers may allow you to complete competencies sooner?

For individuals with more biomanufacturing experience, employers may redirect you towards other job postings.
What would the wages be?
How is an Apprenticeship different from an Internship?

An Internship is time-bound, meaning there is usually an end date when the internship experience is over. Internship examples are summer internships or experiences lasting one academic year. The experiences can be paid or unpaid and are frequently hosted by the district or a volunteer sponsor.

Apprenticeships are similar to a real job, students are hired by a company and paid wages for their work experience. One of the main components of an apprenticeship program is that at the end of the experience, apprentices will earn a Department of Labor certification in their specific field and occupation. Apprenticeship terms are often determined by program standards approved by a committee and overseen by the employer. At the end of the apprenticeship experience, apprentices may be offered permanent employment by the company, in addition, they can take their new skills and knowledge and choose a different pathway, such as continuing education.

Participating Employers:

You know you wanna wear this coat!

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