Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL) programming will strengthen the national life sciences talent pipeline
Charlottetown, PE – The Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences supports the Government of Canada’s announcement of a Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy. The strategy aims to grow a strong, competitive domestic life sciences sector, with cutting-edge biomanufacturing capabilities, while creating good jobs for Canadians, and to make sure Canada is prepared for pandemics and other health emergencies in the future.
“CASTL welcomes the commitment and investment from the federal government to help power a talent engine for Canada’s biomanufacturing industry,” said Penny Walsh-McGuire, Executive Director, CASTL. “Collaboration between industry academia and government stakeholders will be crucial for the development of our talent pipeline and for realizing the full potential of Canada’s biomanufacturing industry.”
The Government of Canada’s Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy includes a commitment of $2.2 billion over seven years from Budget 2021 to continue growing a strong and competitive sector and to ensure Canada is prepared for future pandemics. The strategy consists of five pillars:
- Strong and Coordinated Governance
- Laying a Solid Foundation by Strengthening Research Systems and the Talent Pipeline
- Growing Businesses by Doubling Down on Existing and Emerging Areas of Strength
- Building Public Capacity
- Enabling Innovation by Ensuring World Class Regulation
CASTL offers New Skilling, Reskilling and Upskilling programming for individuals to acquire the academic knowledge, and technical and professional skills to have a successful career in life sciences. CASTL is a Canadian centre-of-excellence dedicated to providing world-class training for bioscience talent creation specializing in biopharmaceutical processing. CASTL’s work will provide an ongoing, rich talent pool for biopharmaceutical manufacturing in Canada.
In support of developing a skills and talent pipeline for Canada, CASTL recently announced the signing of a commercial agreement with the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) in Ireland to be the exclusive provider of NIBRT licensed training programs in Canada. This formal partnership will support Canada’s need for skilled and trained individuals to continue the growth of the biopharmaceutical manufacturing industry. CASTL will be NIBRT’s fifth global partner and received letters of support from adMare BioInnovations, BioTalent Canada, BIOTECanada and Innovative Medicines Canada, as part of this initiative.
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Through state-of-the-art training and education programs and by leveraging our national networks and partnerships with industry and academia, CASTL will support the economic demand for individuals who are work-read to enter, thrive and meet the needs of Canada’s biopharmaceutical manufacturing industry, said Walsh-McGuire. Penny Walsh-McGuireExecutive Director, CASTL |
CASTL was developed by the PEI BioAlliance, with support from the Government of Canada, the Future Skills Centre, and the Government of Prince Edward Island. Current partners include Acadia University, BioTalent Canada, Holland College, National Research Council, PEI BioAlliance, Université de Moncton, University of Prince Edward Island, as well as numerous industry partners.
