The Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL), in partnership with BioTalent Canada and Future Skills Centre (FSC), recently conducted an important market study 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.
The first of three reports based on the study, titled Future-Ready: Developing Key Competencies for Canada’s Biomanufacturing Workforce, identifies critical workforce challenges and presents actionable strategies to address talent gaps in Canada’s rapidly expanding biomanufacturing sector. With the industry expected to require 65,000 additional workers by 2029, the report provides a strategic roadmap for upskilling talent, fostering industry-academic collaboration, and ensuring Canada’s leadership in biomanufacturing innovation.
Key findings
- Regulatory compliance and hands-on laboratory techniques rank as the most sought-after competencies, with 80% of employers prioritizing Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and 70% emphasizing laboratory proficiency.
- Employers report that while new graduates possess strong theoretical knowledge, they often lack essential hands-on training in cleanroom operations, regulatory compliance, and aseptic techniques.
- Skilled workers from adjacent fields such as pharmaceuticals and food manufacturing have transferable expertise, making targeted reskilling programs a valuable workforce solution.
- Collaboration between post-secondary institutions, policymakers, and industry leaders is crucial to aligning training programs with real-world needs.
- Despite recognizing the importance of training, many companies, especially SMEs, cite cost constraints, time limitations, and lack of accessible biomanufacturing-specific programs as significant challenges.
Download the full report
Additional Information
Market Study Launch Announcement
Market Study Initial Insights Announcement
Market Study Initial Insights one pager
BIOVECTRA Case Study 4-pager
BIOCVECTRA Case Study
BIOVECTRA Case Study Results Announcement
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