CLAYTON — A workforce development partnership linking military service members to careers in North Carolina’s life sciences industry is providing local veterans with paid training and internship opportunities as they transition from active duty to civilian employment.
Clayton and surrounding communities are home to a sizable veteran population, according to the U.S. Census, with many service members relocating from Fort Bragg as they complete their military service. Program leaders say this transition period often brings uncertainty about career paths and employment options.
To address those challenges, the U.S. military established the SkillBridge program more than a decade ago. Locally, the program is led by MOVE Boots to Biotech Director Jacob Key in partnership with Fort Bragg and with support from the North Carolina Biotechnology Center. The initiative allows eligible service members to spend up to their final 180 days of service gaining hands-on civilian work experience through apprenticeships and internships with participating employers…