Enhancing PEI’s skilled workforce in the bioscience sector
News release
Developing a plan to educate and train in key bioscience sector
September 27, 2018 – Charlottetown, PE – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
The bioscience industry on Prince Edward Island has grown steadily in the past fifteen years, to become a prominent contributor to the province’s economy. To continue this growth, the governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island are supporting a project led by PEI BioAlliance Inc. to increase the number of skilled workers in the industry through education and training.
Sean Casey, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and Member of Parliament for Charlottetown, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), along with the Honourable Sonny Gallant, Prince Edward Island Minister of Workforce and Advanced Learning, today announced funding for PEI BioAlliance Inc. during Global Biotech Week (September 24-30, 2018).
Through its Business Development Program, ACOA is providing a non-repayable contribution of $40,875 to PEI BioAlliance Inc. The Government of PEI is also contributing $40,875 through the Department of Economic Development and Tourism. The BioAlliance will use its Bioprocess Science and Technology Skill Development Plan to conduct a market assessment to identify workforce supply and demand, and will design a program to meet the industry’s needs. In doing so, this project will explore potential new partnerships and collaborations with existing partners to develop education and training for the biopharmaceutical manufacturing subsector.
This investment builds on commitments made by the Government of Canada and the four Atlantic Provinces to drive economic growth in the region through the Atlantic Growth Strategy, by supporting initiatives that enhance the region’s ability to attract and retain skilled workers.
Quotes
“The Bioscience sector on PEI has seen remarkable growth due, in large part, to the work of the PEI BioAlliance. By identifying key areas of opportunity, the BioAlliance has been able to attract some of the brightest minds in the industry to our Island. The Government of Canada is pleased to provide funding to plan for the future human resources needs of this growing sector.”
Sean Casey, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and Member of Parliament for Charlottetown
“We’re very pleased to collaborate with the PEI BioAlliance Inc. to support Islanders who wish to work in this growing industry. The bio-science sector makes a valuable contribution to our employment, economy and to the prosperity of Prince Edward Island.”
Honourable Sonny Gallant, Prince Edward Island Minister of Workforce and Advanced Learning
‘’Human Resources has always been a key piece of the BioAlliance’ strategic planning process. If PEI is to continue building our place within Canada’s bio-economy, we need to ensure we have the right skills and talent available to support the growth of our sector in Prince Edward Island. Thanks to the support of our federal and provincial government partners, this project will help in the next steps towards making that happen.’’
- Rory Francis, Executive Director, Prince Edward Island BioAlliance
Quick facts
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Formed in 2005, the PEI BioAlliance is a member-based industry association that continues to assume and demonstrate a critical leadership role in the development and growth of the bioscience sector in Prince Edward Island.
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PEI BioAlliance continues to collaborate with a mature and robust network of industry associations in Atlantic Canada – BioNB, BioNova and Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Technology Industries.
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With more than 200 enterprises generating over $650 million in export sales and sustaining employment for over 3,000 professionals, Atlantic Canada's bioscience sector is recognized as a strategic priority and is well positioned and poised for continued growth and diversification.
Contacts
Chris Brooks
Director of Communications
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-566-7569
Hillary MacDonald
Senior Communications Officer
Workforce and Advanced Learning
902-394-6368
Rose FitzPatrick
Manager, Marketing & Communications
Prince Edward Island BioAlliance
902-393-0306