Study finds 74% of employers plan to hire in the next three years, with 50% of new hires expected to fill manufacturing/production and laboratory technician roles.
Charlottetown, PE – The Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL), in partnership with BioTalent Canada and Future Skills Centre (FSC), is pleased to share preliminary findings from its recent market survey, Identifying the Technical Skills and Training Needed to Advance Canadian Biomanufacturing. The full study, which will be released in late October, provides further insight into the current workforce challenges facing biomanufacturing in Canada, particularly the skills gaps, training needs, and workforce projections for the next three to five years.
The national study included a survey of 50 Canadian biomanufacturing employers and 15 interviews to identify specific skills gaps in the Canadian biomanufacturing industry, and to better understand the sector’s current and future training needs. By identifying key workforce trends and emerging training and skills priorities, the study offers critical insights for industry stakeholders, educators, and policymakers seeking to ensure that resources, programs, and curricula are strategically aligned to meet the evolving needs of Canada’s growing biomanufacturing sector.
National Biomanufacturing Skills and Training Study Key Findings:
- Future Demand: 74% of employers surveyed plan to hire new staff in the next three years; 50% of those new hires will be for manufacturing/production technician and laboratory technician roles.
- Emerging Skill Requirements: Technical skills are a key focus in hiring decisions, with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) (80%), laboratory skills (70%), and manufacturing and production techniques (64%) among the top competencies sought by employers.
- Identified Skills Gap: A recurring theme was the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical, hands-on experience.
- Employer investment in training: Among employers surveyed, 80% have included self-directed online learning in their training budgets.
CASTL’s biomanufacturing-specific skills and training study follows the 2021 BioTalent Canada Close-up on the Bio-economy: National Report, which found that Canada’s bioeconomy has been expanding rapidly, requiring a growing number of skilled workers to meet sector demands. According to that study, it is estimated that Canada’s bioeconomy will require 65,000 additional workers by 2029, with biomanufacturing accounting for 16,140 of these jobs.
The CASTL study also explored the themes of artificial intelligence (AI) and industry 5.0 technologies, which are slowly making their way into Canadian biomanufacturing. Among those surveyed, approximately 50% of employers recognize the need for training in AI-related areas.
The study will be incorporated into a panel discussion at BIOTECanada’s BIONATION 2024 conference on September 24-25 in Ottawa, ON. The discussion will provide a forum for sharing knowledge and recommendations for building a skilled, sustainable, and scalable workforce to meet the growing needs of Canada’s biomanufacturing sector.
This study was part of the CASTL-led Knowledge and Insights for Future Proofing Biomanufacturing Training project funded by the Government of Canada through the Future Skills program. For more information about CASTL’s biomanufacturing training courses please visit castlcanada.ca.
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The results of this study provide invaluable insights into what it will take to ensure Canada has the skilled talent necessary to support and advance its thriving biomanufacturing industry. By understanding emerging trends, we can more effectively align our resources with industry needs. CASTL is grateful for our partners, Future Skills Centre and BioTalent Canada, and we are committed to using the study findings to enhance our biomanufacturing training programs to help build a future-proof workforce and a robust talent pipeline in Canada. Penny Walsh-McGuire |
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Recent investments in biomanufacturing infrastructure have been critical to showcasing Canada as a world leader in life sciences. But without investing in the talent needed to work these facilities, the Canadian bioeconomy will fail to reach its full potential. Thanks to partnerships with organizations like CASTL and Future Skills Centre, employers are better positioned to grow their workforce by identifying and addressing skills gaps through access to industry-leading training. Rob Henderson |
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To create clear pathways to jobs and enhance productivity in our growing economic sectors, we must align training with industry needs and have employer buy-in to provide high value-added training. This study provides vital sector-specific data on skills gaps and in-demand skills that is essential for effective workforce planning. It also presents a valuable opportunity for employers, educators, and the government to collaborate, ensuring that Canada’s biomanufacturing workforce is sustainable and competitive. Noel Baldwin |
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Media Inquiries:
Heidi Reinblatt
Director of Marketing and Communications, CASTL
heidi@castlcanada.ca
514-944-3487
Eglantine Ronfard
Director, Strategic Communications, FSC
eglantine.ronfard@torontomu.ca
647-262-3706
About CASTL
The Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL) is a national skills and training organization formed to address the talent needs of the Canadian life sciences sector. Specializing in biopharmaceutical manufacturing, CASTL delivers on the economic and sectoral demand for individuals who have the technical skills to enter, thrive and meet the needs of the fast-growing Canadian biomanufacturing industry. With multiple GMP-simulated biomanufacturing training facilities in Charlottetown, PE, Montreal, QC, and Richmond, BC, CASTL provides industry informed practical hands-on training, theoretical knowledge and e-learning.
CASTL is the exclusive provider of the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) licensed training programs in Canada. Based in Ireland, NIBRT develops and delivers state-of-the-art training and education programs for the world’s leading biopharmaceutical manufacturing companies and partner academic institutions. CASTL is supported by National Lead Partner adMare BioInnovations and its adMare Academy. The adMare Academy is dedicated to providing the specialized training required to foster the next generation of highly qualified personnel who will drive the growth of Canadian life science companies. www.castlcanada.ca
About BioTalent Canada
BioTalent Canada supports the people behind life-changing science. Trusted as the go-to source for labour market intelligence, BioTalent Canada guides bio-economy stakeholders with evidence-based data and industry-driven standards. BioTalent Canada is focused on igniting the industry’s brainpower, bridging the gap between job-ready talent and employers, and ensuring the long-term agility, resiliency, and sustainability of one of Canada’s most vital sectors.
Recently named a Great Place to Work® and Best Workplaces in Healthcare for 2023, by Great Place to Work Canada®, as well as being listed as a Best Workplace by HRD Canada for 2023 and a 5-Star Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Employer by Canadian HR Reporter, BioTalent Canada practices the same industry standards it recommends to stakeholders. These varied distinctions were awarded to BioTalent Canada following a thorough and independent analysis of the organization.
For more information, please visit biotalent.ca.
About Future Skills Centre
The Future Skills Centre (FSC) is a forward-thinking centre for research and collaboration dedicated to driving innovation in skills development so that everyone in Canada can be prepared for the future of work. We partner with policymakers, researchers, practitioners, employers and labour groups, and post-secondary institutions to solve pressing labour market challenges and ensure that everyone can benefit from relevant lifelong learning opportunities. FSC is founded by a consortium whose members are Toronto Metropolitan University, Blueprint, and The Conference Board of Canada, and is funded by the Government of Canada's Future Skills Program.
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