TALENT AND ONTARIO BIOSCIENCE INNOVATION ORGANIZATION PARTNERSHIP

October 21, 2021 – TORONTO, ON – The Ontario Bioscience Innovation Organization (OBIO®), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing health technology innovation and commercialization, and Ontario Tech Talent (TALENT™), a workforce development organization affiliated with Ontario Tech University, are proud to announce their partnership to strengthen the talent pipeline of the Canadian biomanufacturing sector.

Biomanufacturing is a key area of Canada’s health sciences sector and the ongoing pandemic has accentuated the urgent need for increased manufacturing capacity for vaccines and innovative therapies to eradicate Covid-19. The demand for a biomanufacturing-ready workforce with the expertise and skills required to meet the needs of the sector continues to increase.

Within this partnership framework, OBIO and TALENT will partner to address this growing demand by identifying key biomanufacturing roles and providing skills training and verification through a program of alternative credentials, such as micro-credentials that are intended to fill the talent pipeline with personnel equipped with the high-demand and emerging skills required for Canadian companies to compete globally.

“The strategy developed between OBIO and TALENT enables an adaptable response to the evolving workforce needs of the biomanufacturing sector in Canada. The partnership builds on OBIO’s deep industry understanding and track record of preparing professionals for the health science business” said Gail Garland, President & CEO OBIO “and TALENT’s expertise in verifying skills and developing accredited programming, making them the ideal partner for us.”

“TALENT is thrilled to tap into the deep industry expertise of the OBIO team as we develop a portfolio of micro-credentials in biomanufacturing that ensure scaling companies can access the talent that they need. Our goal is to enable individuals to be able to rapidly and effectively develop sufficient competency in high demand skills so that they can be redeployed to address the growing number of vacancies in this sector” said Rachel Sumner, Executive Director of Ontario Tech Talent. 

“We are excited that OBIO and TALENT are working together to increase the pool of highly-skilled talent in biomanufacturing. We need more qualified personnel in the Canadian health science industry and hiring the right talent continues to be a challenge for us as we expand our biomanufacturing capabilities. This new partnership will help us train the next generation of workers and grow our team faster to address our global scale-up”, commented Brent Stead, CEO at Specific Biologics.

About OBIO

OBIO®, founded in 2009, is a not-for-profit, membership-based innovation organization engaged in strategy, programming, policy development and advocacy to further the commercialization of human health technologies positioning Canada as a leader in the international marketplace. OBIO advances this goal through collaborative partnerships with industry, the investment community, academia, the health system and government.

About Ontario Tech Talent (TALENT™)

TALENT is bold, connected, and empowered to meet global digital transformation head on. As an ecosystem of learners and employers, we are building resiliency into key economic sectors, enabling organizations to evolve and individuals to thrive. We are transforming together and for the future, in step with emerging needs and for a lifetime of meaningful employment for all. Find out more at www.ontariotechtalent.ca.

For more information and/or if you are a biosciences organization that would like to get involved, contact:

Rachel Sumner

Executive Director

TALENT™

rachel@ontariotechtalent.ca

Doriane Rey

Manager, Marketing and Events

Ontario Bioscience Innovation Organization

dorianerey@obio.ca