Workforce Development Center

The Workforce Development Center, located on Best Wood Drive in Clayton, is a 30,000 square foot state-of-the-art educational and technical skills training center with a focus on life sciences programming, business training, and workforce development in biotechnology and other sciences.  The WDC is a collaborative effort between Johnston County, Johnston County Public Schools, Johnston County Economic Development and the College, as well as local biopharmaceutical industries.

The purpose of the Workforce Development Center is to create an education and training center to support local industries by offering learning opportunities from elementary through post-secondary in science and biotech, and other areas of economic influence within the county.  Currently, the College offers two programs through the WDC: 

• Associate in Applied Science in Bioprocess Technology
• Associate in Science in Biology & Biology Education

The BioWork curriculum is also offered at the WDC along with several customized training programs through Continuing Education.

135 Bestwood Drive
Clayton, NC 27520
Phone: (919) 209-2591

Johnston Community College is part of the North Carolina Community College System BioNetwork.

Driving Directions

The Workforce Development Center (WDC) is located at 135 Bestwood Drive, Clayton, NC 27520

From Smithfield:

1. Take Highway 70 Business West.
2. Shortly after Highway 70 Business merges with Highway 70 Bypass, turn right onto Powhatan Road (between the Hess station and Hertz Equipment Rental).
3. Go approximately 1/2 mile and take the first right onto Bestwood Drive (at the YMCA sign).
4. Go to the end of the road.  Bestwood Drive becomes the driveway to the WDC.

From Clayton:

1. Take Highway 70 Business East to Powhatan Road.
2. Take a left on Powhatan Road (between the Hess station and Hertz Equipment Rental).
3. Go approximately 1/2 mile and take a right onto Bestwood Drive (at the YMCA sign).
4. Go to the end of the road.  Bestwood Drive becomes the driveway to the WDC.

From Raleigh:

1. From I 40 East take exit 309 (Smithfield/Goldsboro). (This is the Hwy 70 Bypass)
2. Take exit 326 (Smithfield) and make a left at the top of the ramp.
3. Travel approximately 1.5 miles to the next stoplight.
4. Take a right onto Powhatan Road.
5. Go approximately 1/2 mile and take a right onto Bestwood Drive (at the YMCA sign).
6. Go to the end of the road.  Bestwood Drive becomes the driveway to the WDC.

Programs at the Workforce Development Center

Continuing Education

There are a number of programs and classes available through Continuing Education that are offered at the Workforce Development Center. 

• BioWork
• Human Resources Development (HRD)
• Industry Services
• Occupational Training Course Schedule
• Prelicensing/Certification Course Schedule
• Small Business Center Training

Curriculum

Several curriculum programs also offer classes at the Workforce Development Center.

• Associate in Science - Biology & Biology Education
• Bioprocess Technology
• Pre-Engineering

For additional information about any of the programs
offered at the Workforce Development Center, call (919) 209-2591.