CRIEC Partners with BioTalent Canada to Connect Biotechnology Firms in Calgary with Skilled Talent

OTTAWA, Nov. 20, 2015 /CNW/ - BioTalent Canada today announced a new partnership with Calgary Region Immigrant Employment Council (CRIEC) that is designed to connect biotechnology firms with Internationally Educated Professionals (IEPs).

To launch the partnership, BioTalent Canada is joining CRIEC in Calgary on Monday November 23, 2015 for two sessions. Co-hosted by The Talent Pool, an employers' resource and information organization in Alberta, the first session will be a conversation with many of CRIEC's community partners, including immigrant serving agencies, post-secondary schools and several community leaders in work force strategies. In this session, BioTalent Canada will introduce its tools, programs and services developed to better connect skilled talent like IEPs with employers in the biotech sector.

The second session, co-hosted by Bow Valley College, will take the form of one of CRIEC's popular SmartConnections workshops, bringing together more than 45 IEPs from a broad spectrum of professions with a dozen Calgary sector employers. 

According to BioTalent Canada's 2013 labour market report, Sequencing the Data, over 50% of Canadian biotechnology companies are experiencing a shortage of skilled labour.  Despite this, only 52% of Canadian biotech companies alleviate this concern by employing IEPs, with the hiring of these individuals decreasing almost 7% since 2008. 

"We are excited about solidifying our relationship with BioTalent Canada," said Bruce Randall, CRIEC's Executive Director. "This partnership lines up nicely with our SmartConnections approach, which aims to ensure that internationally trained professionals actively participate in the labour market in those areas that lead to successful career paths, and it provides employers with effective and efficient access to global talent."

BioTalent Canada feels strongly that IEPs bring talent, innovation and a new perspective to Canadian employers.  The fact that they are being overlooked by hiring managers within the country is a disadvantage to both groups.  "Access to skilled talent is a mayor challenge for Canadian bio-economy firms," said Rob Henderson, President and CEO of BioTalent Canada. "Innovation is the bread and butter of the biotechnology sector and it is imperative to tap into strategic talent pools like IEPs to remain competitive."

CRIEC joins one of Canada's largest national biotechnology networks, comprised of over 30 national, provincial and private sector partners, one that BioTalent Canada has forged over the past three years.  BioTalent Canada's other partners include BioAlberta (Alberta's Life Sciences Industry Association), Canada's Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Rx&D), BIOTECanada, MEDEC, Scotiabank StartRight, Canadian Renewable Fuels Association (CRFA), Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA), and Porter Airlines.  This network gives partners a direct channel and exposure to thousands of employers, and job seekers, and the rapidly emerging market of IEPs in Canada's bio-economy.

About Calgary Region Immigrant Employment Council (CRIEC)
CRIEC is a small robust non-profit organization based in Calgary. Since 2010 it has helped build pathways and positive relationships between Calgary employers and internationally trained professionals that encourage hiring and retention.  

Working together with employers, professional associations, community partners, post-secondary schools, funders and corporate champions, ensures CRIEC's work remains effective and relevant. Initiatives and strategies include mentoring and connecting programs, career path planning sessions and competency (cultural and skill) workshops, designed to inform, educate and inspire both talent and partners. To learn more, please visit criec.ca.

About BioTalent Canada
BioTalent Canada is the HR partner of Canada's bio-economy. As an HR expert and national non-profit organization, BioTalent Canada focuses on building partnerships and skills for Canada's bio-economy to ensure the industry has access to job-ready people. Through projects, research, and product development, BioTalent Canada connects employers with job seekers, delivers human resource information, and skills development tools so the industry can focus on strengthening Canada's biotech business. For more information, please visit biotalent.ca.

SOURCE BioTalent Canada

Media inquiries: Bruce Randall, Executive Director, Calgary Region Immigrant Employment Council, 587-894-7580, [email protected]; Fiorella Jansen-Nicorescu, Marketing & Communications Manager, BioTalent Canada, 613-235-1402 ext. 229, [email protected]