CASTL and Future Skills Centre launch national biomanufacturing study
In the photo left to right: Noel Baldwin, Executive Director of FSC, Sidney Reid, Director of Client Services of CASTL, Penny Walsh-McGuire, CEO of CASTL, and Tricia Williams, Director of Research, Evaluation and Knowledge Mobilization of FSC. (Photo: Business Wire)
The Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL) and the Future Skills Center (FSC) have initiated a national study to gather crucial labour market information and identify future training needs specific to the Canadian biomanufacturing sector.
CASTL is a national organisation specialising in biopharmaceutical manufacturing and is dedicated to addressing the talent needs of the Canadian life sciences sector.
FSC is a is a cutting-edge hub dedicated to driving innovation in skills development and ensuring Canadians are equipped for the ever-changing labour market.
The project, named "Knowledge and Insights for Future Proofing Biomanufacturing Training," is conducted in partnership with BioTalent Canada and will feature a comprehensive national survey of the industry.
The primary goal of the study is to provide insights that will help industry leaders, educators, and policymakers ensure that resources, programming, and curricula are strategically aligned with the evolving needs of Canada's biomanufacturing sector.
Penny Walsh-McGuire, CEO of CASTL, stated:
“This project will gather insights for industry, educators and policymakers to ensure resources, programming, and curriculum are strategically aligned to meet the future needs of Canada’s growing biomanufacturing sector.
“As Canada’s biomanufacturing training leader, CASTL is excited to initiate this project. By gathering labour market information on emerging trends specific to biomanufacturing, we are better equipped to mobilise and respond with our training and education delivery partners and stakeholder network, which ultimately helps to support our sector’s growth and capacity building through talent.”
The project, funded with $249,500, will work with Canadian companies to identify workforce trends, emerging training priorities, and new technologies and competencies. The findings will inform future training programmes, foster new partnerships, and enhance delivery models for CASTL and other industry stakeholders.
Rob Henderson, President and CEO of BioTalent Canada, highlighted the project's importance:
“The need for Canadian biomanufacturing has never been greater. To remain competitive in this growing area, companies will need to recruit and retain people with the specialised skills to work in an ever-evolving field.
“BioTalent Canada is pleased to partner with CASTL on a project that will provide a blueprint for evidence-based talent development that will keep pace with the changing needs of biomanufacturing.”
In addition to the national survey, the project includes a case study on best practices for upskilling in biologics manufacturing. This case study will demonstrate the return on investment for customised employer-sponsored training and showcase CASTL’s techniques for transitioning workers into new process streams for facility expansion.
The project will conclude with a national biomanufacturing workshop at BIOTECanada’s BIONATION 2024 event in Ottawa. This workshop will present the research findings and case study insights, providing a forum for sharing knowledge and recommendations to build a skilled, sustainable, and scalable workforce for Canada’s biomanufacturing sector.
Noel Baldwin, Executive Director of FSC, emphasised the importance of long-term skills development:
“A strong and concerted commitment to long-term skills development is essential as we work to address and close Canada's skills gap.
“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with CASTL and BioTalent to help future and current workers in Canadian biomanufacturing build their technical skills. This project is vital for ensuring that skills training in this growing and evolving sector remains responsive and future-proof.”
