OTTAWA, ONTARIO, May 7, 2008-Parliamentary Secretary Lynne Yelich, on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, today announced a new project to provide biotechnology graduates with invaluable work experience, and to increase the industry's competitiveness.
Speaking at the Sanofi-Aventis BioTalent Challenge National Awards Ceremony, Ms. Yelich highlighted the Government's continued support of Canadian companies and academic institutions in developing the highly skilled staff necessary for commercial success in biotechnology and life sciences in general. Through the new Career Focus BioTalent project, the Government will be investing an additional $250,000 to provide practical work experience to graduates and a skilled work force for biotechnology companies.
"The Government of Canada is committed to developing the best educated, most skilled and most flexible work force in the world," said Ms. Yelich. "We are proud to help biotechnology graduates get good jobs, and to support Canadian companies developing the highly skilled staff necessary to be successful."
BioTalent Canada helps Canada's bio-economy industry thrive globally. As a non-profit national organization, BioTalent Canada anticipates needs and creates new opportunities by delivering human resources tools, information and skills development to ensure the industry has access to job-ready people. BioTalent Canada is a Canadian sector council-one of many partnership organizations created to address skills-development issues in key sectors of the economy.
Sector councils play a vital role in helping to strengthen the labour market, thereby contributing to the productivity and competitiveness of the economy and the standard of living of all Canadians. They bring together governments, business, labour and educational stakeholders in key sectors to share ideas, concerns and perspectives about work force issues. Canada's sector councils have been successful at meeting emerging skills requirements, addressing skills and labour shortages, and building essential skills in the workplace as a foundation for continuous learning.
This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.
Visit the new Human Resources and Social Development Canada Web site www.rhdsc.gc.ca.
For more information (media only):
Pema Lhalungpa
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Solberg
819-994-2482
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
