In recent years, British Columbia’s life sciences sector has emerged as a significant driver of innovation and economic growth in the province.
Since 2019, the sector achieved 27% growth in GDP, making it the fastest growing life sciences sector in Canada and outpacing the growth of the overall B.C. economy.
Today, the sector is a source of high-paying jobs for nearly 30,000 workers in BC and is home to many of Canada’s leading life sciences organizations, including AbCellera, StarFish Medical, STEMCELL Technologies, and Xenon Pharmaceuticals.
It’s also a a magnet for investment in Canada.
The sector remains poised for further growth—but that growth will be challenged by an increasing labour shortage, according to a labour market intelligence study from Life Sciences BC.
Over the next five years, the sector is expected to face a widening talent supply gap, projected to rise to over 5,000 by the end of 2027—an order-of-magnitude increase from the current gap of 500.
B.C. neighbour Alberta is eager to avoid disruptive supply-and-demand gaps regarding skilled talent, which is why life sciences innovation in the province is set for a boost thanks to new investment.
Alberta Innovates announced this week that it is once again investing in the growth of the province’s clinical trial workforce through an annual competition offering graduate and postdoctoral trainee salary awards.
The growth of Alberta’s clinical trial environment is dependent on the development of a sustainable and qualified workforce, according to a statement from the organization.
And that is why building up this workforce within the region is a strategic priority for the Alberta Clinical Research Consortium, a collaborative initiative managed by Alberta Innovates that works to expand clinical research capacity and capabilities in the province.
As part of the Consortium’s talent development strategy, Alberta Innovates last year invested $286,250 to fund 17 clinical trial trainees at the University of Alberta and University of Calgary—and intends to repeat the process this year.
“The commitment to training that Alberta Innovates has made, while leveraging the national effort, is critical to ensure that the talent and expertise needed in Alberta is available in Alberta,” stated Dr. Lawrence Richer, who serves as Associate Dean of Health Research for the College of Health Sciences at the University of Alberta.
In addition to salary support, trainees gain access to a community of experts and mentors across the country.
“A new generation of Alberta-based methodologists and trialists are equipped with the much-needed expertise in modern trial designs and analytical expertise to evaluate promising therapies and interventions for healthcare innovation,” stated Dr. Tolu Sajobi, a Professor in the Departments of Community Health Sciences and Clinical Neurosciences at UCalgary’s Cumming School of Medicine.
