Press Release
Manufacturing Day Series Concludes with Health Sciences Pathway Event
April 23, 2026
Transylvania County, NC
A resilient local workforce starts in the classroom, and early exposure to a variety of career pathways is key to helping students understand what’s possible. Transylvania Economic Alliance, in partnership with Transylvania County Public Schools and Blue Ridge Community College, continued its Manufacturing Day Series for the 2025-26 school year by showcasing one of Transylvania County’s target industry sectors - Biotechnology and Life Sciences – to students in the Health Sciences pathway.
Through this experience, students were able to see how their interests in health and science can extend beyond traditional clinical roles and into careers in manufacturing, research, and production, offering additional pathways they may not have previously considered. This exposure is especially important as Transylvania County’s Biotechnology and Life Sciences sector continues to grow, with more than $55 million in investment and over 125 jobs created since 2020, highlighting the need to strengthen the local workforce pipeline to support continued growth.
Health Sciences students from Brevard High School and Rosman High School toured local manufacturers within Transylvania County’s robust biotechnology and life sciences sector, which has one of the highest concentrations of investment per capita in North Carolina west of the Research Triangle Park. The third and final event in the series was held on Thursday, April 23, 2026, with approximately 20 students visiting Gaia Herbs and Raybow USA. Throughout the day, students gained a better understanding of how their interests in health and science can be applied in non-clinical settings, and how those skills are already in demand within a local growing industry.
“Today, students with an interest in health and wellness got a chance to see how those interests can take shape in a professional setting,” said Mark Carland, Director of Operations at Gaia Herbs. “At Gaia Herbs, we grow, test, and manufacture our products all in one place. It takes a diverse team to make that happen, from farmers and technicians to scientists and quality specialists. There are many entry points for students to get started and grow within this industry.”
By seeing real-world laboratory and production environments in action, students were able to connect their classroom learning to practical applications. Staff from Transylvania County Public Schools and Blue Ridge Community College were on hand to highlight training pathways and opportunities available both during high school and after graduation, helping prepare students for careers in this growing sector.
“Experiences like this help students expand their understanding of where their interests can take them,” said Joe Shook, Dean of Advanced Technologies at Blue Ridge Community College. “We aim to equip students with the skills and experience needed to pursue a variety of career paths, particularly those in advanced manufacturing within the Biotechnology and Life Sciences sector, where there is strong demand for skilled workers.”
“Providing students with exposure to industries they may not have considered is an important part of career exploration,” said Kerry Putnam, Director of Career & Technical Education. “When students can see how their skills apply in different settings, they are better equipped to make informed decisions about their future.”
This three-part Manufacturing Day Series was created to showcase a variety of career opportunities within Transylvania County and to broaden students’ perspectives on the pathways available to them. With the completion of this third event, the 2025–2026 Manufacturing Day Series has officially concluded. The series proved to be a success, and we look forward to building on this momentum in the coming year.
The success of all three events was made possible through the collaboration of local industry partners, Transylvania County Public Schools, Blue Ridge Community College, and the Transylvania Economic Alliance.
We extend our sincere thanks to all who participated throughout the series and helped create meaningful experiences for our students.
“We’re proud to partner with our schools, community college, and local employers to create opportunities that expose students to the depth and diversity of our local economy,” said Shelia Carland, Chair of the Transylvania Economic Alliance Board of Directors. “Biotechnology and Life Sciences is one of our target markets and continues to be a growing and important sector for Transylvania County. Connecting students to these opportunities today helps build the workforce we need for the future.”
The Transylvania Economic Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit economic development organization focused on reinforcing and building a dynamic, local economy in Transylvania County, NC and across its unique places and communities. For more information on our organization, our target markets, and our areas of focus, please visit TransylvaniaNC.org or call (828) 393-4130.