GBCC and Lonza partner for apprenticeship program

Thanks to a new apprenticeship program between Great Bay Community College (GBCC) and Lonza, Charlie Leland and Noah Ford jumpstarted their careers in the fast-paced field of biomedicine this summer.

The two are among the first cohort at GBCC to participate in the inaugural apprenticeship program that combines eight weeks of classroom instruction at Great Bay’s Portsmouth campus with 12 months of paid, on-the-job training at Lonza’s manufacturing facility also located in Portsmouth. Upon successful completion of the program, apprentices have the opportunity to interview at Lonza for open full-time roles. A total of 11 apprentices recently completed the classroom training and will now continue their apprenticeship with on-the-job training at Lonza.

“This is something that was out of my wheelhouse but on my radar for a long time,” said Leland, who described the program as an incredible opportunity. “I have learned so much, and everyone has been so helpful. No matter what your background is, this is a great opportunity.”

Leland had no experience in life sciences prior to enrolling in the apprenticeship program, which he heard about from a friend. Before signing up, he worked at the National Visa Center in Portsmouth and as a caregiver at a home for people with Alzheimer’s and dementia. “That experience got me thinking about how I could be more practical-minded when it comes to caregiving, so the opportunity to work for a company dedicated to manufacturing life-saving and life-enhancing therapies was very appealing.”

Ford was studying biology at New Hampshire Technical Institute when he learned about the apprenticeship. He said he is thrilled with the combination of classroom education and real-world experience to kick-start his career.

“Given how competitive Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) jobs are right now, this program is amazing. It teaches us everything we need to know and is a great opportunity to gain a foothold into the industry,” he said.

ApprenticeshipNH, the workforce training program of the Community College System of New Hampshire, collaborated with GBCC and Lonza earlier this year to establish the apprenticeship program. The program aims to equip the next generation of graduates and professionals in New Hampshire with the critical skills needed to excel in biomanufacturing, driving innovation and supporting the delivery of life-changing therapies.

GBCC and Lonza anticipate welcoming additional cohorts in the future, further strengthening New Hampshire’s biomanufacturing workforce and creating new career paths for local students.