The BioNetwork BioEd Center at Gaston College will develop employer-driven continuing education and training products to meet the current and future workforce needs of the biotechnology industry. It will also lead the conversion of non-credit short courses into optional credit modules.

The BioNetwork BioEd Center at Gaston College will:

1. Research best-practices in employer-driven training and continuing education short-courses in biotechnology across the country and abroad,
   
   
2. Develop biotechnology training modules, including BioWork, for delivery online across the state,
   
   
3. Lead conversion of non-credit short courses into optional credit modules that can be aggregated over time to achieve recognized credentials, and
   
   
4. Pilot a conversion process of validated industry experience for credit.
   

The BioEd Center will work in conjunction with:

• The BioNetwork Central Office and staff in Raleigh, NC
  
• The BioNetwork Capstone Center
  
• The BioNetwork BioProcessing Center
  
• The BioNetwork Pharmaceutical Center
  
• The BioNetwork BioAg Center
  
• The BioNetwork BioBiz Center
  
• The BioNetworkBus

The BioEd Center's proposal to NCCCS and the Golden LEAF Foundation was submitted on behalf of several community colleges in the Charlotte Economic Development Region, and developed by Gaston College in coordination with Catawba Valley C.C., Central Piedmont C.C., Cleveland C.C., Mitchell C.C., Rowan-Cabarrus C.C., South Piedmont C.C., Stanly C.C., the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, and area economic development agencies. The faculty and staff from all these institutions and agencies will be drawn upon as SME's (Subject Matter Experts) and consultants in the staffing and operation of the Center.