New skills profiles define what it takes to work in the bio-economy - Tools from BioTalent Canada help employers hire with confidence

OTTAWA, Feb. 15, 2012 /CNW/ - BioTalent Canada, has added six new occupational skills profiles to its existing 18, highlighting the unique mix of skills, competencies and functions associated with jobs in the bio-economy. Employers, job seekers, educators and other bio-economy stakeholders can use these profiles to gain practical insight into Canada's rapidly growing bio-economy.

BioTalent Canada's skills-profiling work began in 2007 with the recognition that bio-economy positions—even those similar to others outside bio-industry (such as CEO)—come with specific requirements due to the scientific basis of bio-business. The six new occupations profiled include:

• Animal Care Manager
  
• BioFuels Plant Manager
  
• Bioinformatician
  
• Clinical Research Data Manager
  
• Contract Manufacturing Project Manager
  
• Quality Assurance Manager

"All of our occupational skills profiles are developed with input from industry leaders," explains Rob Henderson, Executive Director of BioTalent Canada. "We insist on this because it ensures their practicality and real-world validity. These are tools relevant to the day-to-day reality of working in the bio-economy."

Designed principally for small-and medium-sized companies needing to prepare accurate job descriptions for hiring, the six new profiles developed through BioTalent Canada's Skills Profiles II project help clarify job requirements and also support professional development planning. Job seekers can also use the skills profiles to understand the skills they need to acquire or promote to obtain a specific position.

Job seekers can also benefit from BioTalent Canda's BioSkills Recognition Program to determine their readiness for work in the bio-economy by receiving BioReady™ status—an industry-awarded recognition of their skills and experience.

Companies in Canada's bio-economy apply science and technology to living organisms in sectors ranging from agriculture and life sciences to forestry and food processing. The fusion of science and business requires executives and managers to have technical expertise and technical staff to have entrepreneurial knowledge. Standard occupational definitions are not always sufficient because they do not acknowledge this unique combination.

About BioTalent Canada

BioTalent Canada ^TM helps Canada's bio-economy industry thrive globally. As a non-profit national organization of innovators leading our bio-economy, BioTalent Canada anticipates needs and creates new opportunities, delivering human resources tools, information and skills development to ensure the industry has access to job-ready people. www.biotalent.ca

This project is funded by the Government of Canada's Sector Council Program.

Clara Wicke
Manager, Marketing and Communications
613-235-1402 x 229
[email protected]