Advancing Canada’s Bioeconomy: How BIOVECTRA is Addressing the Biomanufacturing Skills Shortage

As the Director of Organizational Development at BIOVECTRA, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing remarkable growth and transformation over the past four years. BIOVECTRA is on a mission to be recognized as a learning organization, and I’m excited to share how our talent strategy and partnership with the Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL) program are addressing industry challenges while driving meaningful outcomes for our people, the biomanufacturing sector and Canada’s economy.

BIOVECTRA is a contract development manufacturing organization (CDMO), meaning it partners with pharmaceutical companies to develop and produce active pharmaceutical ingredients used in various drug products. Whether it’s cancer treatments, kidney disease therapies or medications for infantile seizures, our work impacts lives globally.

Talent at the Forefront

Our success is driven by our people. At BIOVECTRA, we pride ourselves on fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce: 40% of our employees come from diverse backgrounds, and 30% identify as members of racialized groups. While 20% of our employees hold advanced degrees, the majority (80%) do not, debunking the myth that a PhD or science background is a prerequisite to join our industry. This is where skills training and development come into play.

We’ve achieved a 90% retention rate, which we attribute to our comprehensive training programs. These programs welcome individuals from various backgrounds — whether fresh out of school or transitioning from different careers — and equip them with the skills needed for roles in manufacturing, quality assurance, and research and development. Beyond this, we support employees pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees, certifications and professional development opportunities.

The Skills Shortage Challenge

The biomanufacturing industry faces a pressing challenge: a sector-wide skills shortage projected to reach 65,000 workers by 2029. However, this gap is already evident today, amplified by the pandemic and global competition for talent. Recruiting skilled professionals is particularly difficult in Atlantic Canada, where attracting and retaining talent requires innovative approaches. Housing, health care, daycare and credential recognition are key considerations for prospective employees, and we must act urgently to address these barriers.

BIOVECTRA and CASTL: A Model Partnership

Our partnership with CASTL has been instrumental in addressing talent challenges. Since 2020, we’ve collaborated on re-skilling programs designed to meet industry needs. These programs provide participants with hands-on training on the same equipment used in our facilities, ensuring they arrive job-ready. To date, we’ve engaged with all seven of CASTL’s re-skilling cohorts, using them as a recruitment strategy. On average, we hire three to five participants per cohort for on-the-job training placements, often transitioning them into permanent roles.

CASTL’s customized training programs offer a unique and impactful approach. They allow individuals to learn in a safe environment, where they can make mistakes and ask questions without disrupting our 24-7 operations. For example, Anita, a former hairstylist of 25 years, pursued her dream of working in science by joining BIOVECTRA 8 1/2 years ago. She recently participated in CASTL’s customized training program to upskill into mRNA and pDNA more advanced vaccine manufacturing for our newest facility. Today, Anita is a valued senior member of our team, proving that with the right training and support, career transitions into biomanufacturing are possible.

Building Canada’s Bioeconomy

At BIOVECTRA, we’re not just growing our business; we’re contributing to the broader bioeconomy. Our talent strategy and CASTL partnership exemplify the power of public-private collaboration in addressing skills shortages, fostering innovation and creating opportunities for individuals and communities. However, more action is needed. We must continue to think creatively and act boldly to attract, train and retain talent. The time to make these changes is now—for the future of our industry, our economy and the people whose lives we impact every day.

This blog is based on a speech by Lee McKinley in Charlottetown, PEI and was refined using AI-assisted transcription and drafting tools. The final version has been reviewed for accuracy.

The views, thoughts and opinions expressed here are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint, official policy or position of the Future Skills Centre or any of its staff members or consortium partners.