MISSISSAUGA, ON, June 20, 2014 /CNW/ - BioTalent Canada announced the launch of a new project today which will allow internationally educated health professionals to transfer their scientific skills into alternative career paths in Canada's bio-economy. BioTalent Canada will offer physicians, nurses, pharmacists and veterinarians the opportunity to pursue new careers in one of 46 Canadian biotech occupations. The project, entitled "Alternate Career Pathways for Internationally Educated Health Professionals" will expand BioTalent Canada's extensive list of transferable skills to include those of pharmacists. This announcement took place today at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga) in cooperation with BioTalent Canada's Partner, the City of Mississauga as a kick-off to BIO2014, an international biotech conference that will take place in San Diego from June 23-25. The City of Mississauga will be at the conference participating in the Ontario Pavilion, showcasing Mississauga's strength in the life sciences sector and the talent that supports it.
"Job opportunities constitute the top reason internationally educated health professionals come to Canada, yet 44% still face underemployment," says Rob Henderson, President & CEO of BioTalent Canada, referring to BioTalent Canada's recent national study: Talent Opportunities. "33% of Canadian biotech employers are hampered by skills shortages and another 52% report hiring newcomers improved innovation and problem solving. These health professionals have valuable science skills that are needed in our industry," says Henderson.
The three year project will work with biotech stakeholders to identify the transferable skills of pharmacists and create solutions for integrating this valuable talent pool into the bio-health industry. In addition to identifying the transferable skills of IEHPs, the project will establish a referral system in partnership with immigrant serving agencies (ISAs) across Canada to market alternative career path options to IEHPs and provide a more efficient and effective route to integrate them into the labour market. The project is funded by the Government of Canada's Foreign Credential Recognition Program.
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 the most skilled people possible. For more information, please visit www.biotalent.ca.
About the City of Mississauga:
As Canada's sixth largest city, Mississauga is home to 752,000 residents and more than 54,000 businesses, including over 60 Fortune 500 companies with Canadian head offices or major divisional head offices. To learn more about the City of Mississauga's life sciences cluster and other industry sectors, visit www.winthehumanrace.ca.
SOURCE: BioTalent Canada
Media Inquiries: Siobhan Williams, Director, Marketing and Communications, 613-235-1402 ext. 229, [email protected]
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