BioTalent Canada report indicates scientific newcomers face high unemployment, and skills shortages exist in Canada's bio-economy

Labour market report focuses on internationally educated professionals as an opportunity to fill skills shortages hampering Canadian biotech industry

OTTAWA, Nov. 13, 2013 /CNW/ - BioTalent Canada released a new Labour Market Information (LMI) report today focusing specifically on Internationally Educated Professionals (IEPs). The report indicates IEPs possess critical skills that are currently in demand in biotech, yet 44.3% are unemployed. 51.8% of employers say hiring IEPs improves innovation. This new report "Talent Opportunities: Bringing Newcomers to Canada's Bio-economy" identifies challenges faced by IEPs and highlights the differences between newcomers and employers realities reported in the recent Labour Market Study "Sequencing the data: People - Driving Canada's Bio-economy." BioTalent Canada surveyed IEPs with science backgrounds, immigrant serving agencies (ISAs) and post-secondary institutions across Canada to understand the services available to IEPs and the challenges they face when integrating into Canada's bio-economy.

Key Study Findings:

• Research and Development are the most prevalent unfilled positions in the industry, along with, marketing, manufacturing, clinical, and quality control. Foreign-trained workers with these occupational skill sets have unemployment rates in the range of 41.4% to 54.5%.
  
  
• Job opportunities and democracy are the top reasons Internationally Educated Professionals (IEPs) come to Canada; yet there is a 44.3% unemployment rate among respondents.
  
  
• Difficulties in finding a job, lack of social networks, and lack of Canadian experience are the top barriers experienced by IEPs trying to enter the biotech workforce.

"Skills shortages are hampering the growth of Canada's bio-economy, yet the skilled foreign talent is available and represents a great opportunity for the industry," says Rob Henderson, President and CEO, BioTalent Canada. "Connecting these skilled newcomers quickly with employers through tangible solutions needs to be a priority. The Scotiabank StartRight® Biotech Resumé Builder for newcomers is just one of the ways we are building these connections. With our partners like Drake International, BioBusiness and other stakeholders, we will be exploring more ways to fill these gaps to build a strong, diverse biotech workforce," he said.

In an effort to fill the skills gaps and meet the current and evolving needs of the industry, this new report indicates opportunities for newcomer talent to get a job in biotech and for employers to find the talent needed for Canada's biotechnology industry to drive the Canadian economy.

To view or download a copy of the full report, visit www.biotalent.ca/newcomers.

As part of Scotiabank's StartRight Program for Newcomers, Scotiabank and BioTalent Canada announced a partnership earlier this year to help new Canadians build successful careers, particularly in Canada's growing biotechnology field. The partnership includes the launch of the Scotiabank StartRight Biotech Resume Builder to help newcomers connect with employers, as well as support for research aimed at filling talent gaps in this dynamic sector.

About BioTalent Canada
BioTalent Canada is the HR hub of Canada's bio-economy. A national non-profit organization, BioTalent Canada connects employers with job seekers, delivers human resource information and skills development tools to the bio-economy to ensure the industry has access to job-ready people.  For more information please visit www.biotalent.ca.

About Scotiabank
Scotiabank is a leading multinational financial services provider and Canada's most international bank. With more than 83,000 employees, Scotiabank and its affiliates serve some 21 million customers in more than 55 countries around the world. Scotiabank offers a broad range of products and services including personal, commercial, corporate and investment banking. In December 2012, Scotiabank became the first Canadian bank to be named Global Bank of the Year and Bank of the Year in the Americas by The Banker magazine, a Financial Times publication. With assets of $743 billion (as at July 31, 2013), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto (TSX: BNS) and New York Exchanges (NYSE: BNS). For more information please visit www.scotiabank.com.

About the Scotiabank StartRight^® Program for Newcomers
Launched in 2008, the Scotiabank StartRight Program for Newcomers was created for Canadian Landed Immigrants from 0-3 years in Canada, International Students and Foreign Workers.  The Scotiabank StartRight Program for Newcomers provides the right advice and financial solutions to help newcomers plan their future in Canada.  For more details on the Scotiabank StartRight Program, please visit www.scotiabank.com/startright.

Image with caption: "Talent Opportunities: Bringing Newcomers to Canada's Bio-economy (CNW Group/BioTalent Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20131112_C6841_PHOTO_EN_33307.jpg

SOURCE: BioTalent Canada

Media inquiries:

BioTalent Canada

Siobhan Williams
Director, Marketing and Communications
613-235-1402 ext. 229
[email protected]