This comprehensive guide will provide all the crucial details for a newcomer to biotechnology job prospects in Canada. This country is an excellent one to look for biotechnology jobs in, with a large network of research hospitals, laboratories, universities, and companies. As a newcomer who plans to arrive here and work in the biotechnology sector, you will have ample opportunities. You can access Bio Talent Canada, the national sector council for the biotechnology sector.
Biotechnology career options for technologists and technicians exist in both laboratory and field setups. Biotechnology salary prospects offer an excellent standard of living. Overall, you can learn more about biotechnology job needs in Canada.

Canadian immigration to pursue a career in biotechnology

It will be a great idea to take the steps to make arrangements before moving to Canada and kickstart your journey as a biotechnology professional. Take a look at what you must do:

  • Conduct thorough research on the Canadian labor market to acquire new skills, experience, and qualifications.
  • You can access free webinars to learn as much as possible about the Canadian labor market and the prevailing conditions.
  • Research BioTalent Canada to understand the art of displaying your experience before employers and analyze your willingness to work as a biotechnology professional.
  • Enhance your language proficiency and ensure you have advanced language abilities. Work language is a key factor in the bio-economy field.
  • Get admission to language classes in your home country and keep taking the classes even after arriving in Canada. Despite speaking English or French, it will be beneficial to enhance your skills.
  • When you are in your home country, collect your official educational and work documents. Organize all the identity documents, too, and access the right translation services if these aren’t in English or French.
  • Become aware of the procedures, laws, and legislations that govern the biotechnology profession in the province in which you would like to settle.
  • Know the exact job title in Canada, check its NOC code, and prepare a complete list of employers.
  • Know the exact job salaries of biotechnology professionals in Canada and compare the salaries and compensation plans based on different locations. Each location will have its distinct salary packages and plans.

What should you expect from a biotechnology career in Canada?

Individuals pursuing a career in the biotechnology profession must fulfill certain eligibility requirements, such as:

  • They must be able to complete a two to three-year college program in biology, agriculture, wildlife, resource management, microbiology, and work experience as a biological technologist.
  • Completing one or two years of college program related to a biological technician.

For more advanced biotechnology jobs, they must be able to complete a university or master’s degree. Provincial associations’ certification can be voluntary.

Biotechnology job prospects in Canada

The national study on the bio-economy claims that there is a huge demand for skilled and talented people in Canada’s bio-economy field. Moreover, this demand will likely surpass the supply in 2024.

Furthermore, the study predicts that by 2029, nearly 65,000 employees will be essential within the sector. Due to the excessive shortage, those with international education and training in this sector will become highly valued. As a result, this will lead to increased opportunities for recent and future new immigrants to arrive in Canada with the right skills.

The bio-economy labor force in this country encompasses several professions, while research and development will cover 50 percent of all jobs. The country expects to witness acute labor shortages in all bio-economy sectors, while three areas will experience more severe shortages until 2029:

  • Jobs related to management, administration, and finance.
  • Distribution and logistics.
  • Manufacturing and production jobs.

However, it is essential to conduct a detailed research related to biotechnology jobs related to national, regional and local job markets before moving to Canada. Ensure that you understand the job and licensing requirements. Also, you must be able to get a certification before beginning to work in Canada if you possess a regulated job title.

Begin your job search through the NOC code

Check out the NOC code for biological technologists and read the job description carefully to get an overview of Canada. In addition, it will be highly valuable to learn the different names or job titles for biological technologists in Canada.

Becoming a Biotechnology Professional in Canada

Biotechnological job requirements will differ based on your individual career objectives. As a new immigrant, you must fulfill credential recognition, skills upgradation, or complete a bridging program. The following steps are essential to get the best job prospects in the biotechnology field in Canada:

Credential recognition is vital for the biotechnology field

It is essential to conduct research, establish a work plan, and understand the particular requirements for your occupation. BioTalent Canada’s official website will be a great starting point. The BioSkills Recognition Program enables professionals with international training to bridge any gaps and fulfill Canadian standards. This program will identify your competency levels and engage you with employers within the industry.

However, participation in this program will depend on factors such as whether you’re legally working in Canada and have a higher proficiency level in the English language. Even while residing in your home country, you can begin the process by giving an overview of your credentials, competencies, and skills after arriving in Canada. In addition, you might have to undertake a practical test observation.

After the recognition of your skills, you will receive a notification that you are a BioReady TM. This simply implies that you have displayed the essential skills for a particular job function. Also, you possess the work competency levels necessary in Canada’s biotech industry.

On the other hand, if any of your skills fail to gain recognition, you will receive details on how you could upgrade your skills and participate in the program later.

Besides this, you will get an option to join the BioSynergy Program to integrate well in the workplace. Furthermore, the program will provide you with more details on establishing better interpersonal connections, developing effective communication skills, and learning and leadership skills. However, if you need a mentor, you must use a coaching module.

The available Credential Assessment Services

If you seek to engage in a college or university program to upgrade your skills, connect with the school you wish to attend. Doing so will help you understand the application process and recognize the credential assessment agency you must access.

Ensure you emphasize your international education and skills. Plan ahead to gain more knowledge and refine your present skills and discover more university and college alternatives before advancing with your education. It would be better if you could receive some advance and even consider transferring a few credits and benefits from your previous learning assessment alternatives.  

Your international credentials and experience might enable you to gain credit or even course exemptions. This will help you complete your programs conveniently without spending time or money on attaining the same education you already acquired.  

Give below are some of the most prominent credential assessment services that you must acknowledge:

  • World Education Services
  • International Qualifications Assessment Service
  • The International Credential Evaluation Service
  • Comparative Education Service (University of Toronto)

Upgrading your skills

As a new immigrant, upgrading your skills through a set of courses, bridging programs, and workshops might be an essential part of the journey. This applies to you if you are keen on building your career in the biotechnology sector. As a newcomer, you must be well aware that Canadian employers target soft skills, including your personal characteristics, job performance, and career prospects. In addition, you can utilize your soft skills very well compared to your hard skills.

Soft skills like leadership qualities, teamwork, and communication are essential for biotech professionals. Being an individual working in biotechnology, you must work well with other people in a team. In addition, you must display stronger verbal and written skills and partner with people from various other groups.

Besides your technical knowledge, you will have to face evaluation based on your basic communication skills, along with reading and writing skills. Your hard skills will be crucial to land you in job interviews, while your soft skills will enable you to receive job offers and let you sustain in the job.

Language proficiency training for biotechnology career in Canada

You might possess excellent technical skills but don’t forget that these are not the only requirements for sustaining a job. This simply means you will need more skills and training related to your communication skills and teamwork.

It is imperative to acquire solid English or French language skills to progress in Canada in the near future. However, the language you choose to learn or enhance will rely on the two prominent languages within the city or area where you decide to settle.

You must also check whether you qualify for the Language Instruction Program for Newcomers to Canada. Otherwise, you might access different accessible or affordable classes in ESL or FSL classes with the help of school boards or settlement agencies.

Language courses or professional terminologies to access are as follows:

  • Job-specific language training
  • Occupation-specific language training

Taking a look at Bridging programs for increased biotechnology job prospects in Canada

Bridging programs in Canada can help you align your work experiences and international training with your workplaces in Canada. Most universities and immigrant-serving agencies provide candidates with bridging programs. Conduct detailed research to access a program that is appropriate for you. Find out if you are eligible for any of them and access the most suitable program.

Ontario

University of Toronto in Mississauga 

Program name: Certificate in Life Science Enterprise Management 

This program provides you with a certification in a Canadian biotechnology enterprise. The courses will include the following:

  • Canadian biotechnology and bio policy 
  • Workplace culture and communications training 
  • Occupation-specific language training 
  • Services, mentorship, and personal coaching 

Canadian Biotechnology schools

Canada is home to several prominent schools in the world and most immigrants pursue higher education level after arriving in this country. You have the choice to enroll in key programs and courses for a degree, diploma, Ph.D. and master’s.

Here are a few chief universities to consider:

  • University of Toronto
  • University of British Columbia
  • University of Calgary
  • Queen’s University
  • Simon Fraser University
  • McMaster University
  • University of Manitoba
  • University of Waterloo

The best colleges to acknowledge in your career journey are as follows:

  • Fleming College
  • Seneca College
  • Durham College
  • Centennial College of Applied Arts and Technology
  • Algonquin College 
  • Fanshawe College
  • Loyalist College of Applied Arts and Technology

Salaries for biotechnology job prospects in Canada

The average biotechnology salary in Canada per hour (low to high) will be $17.28 to $37.95 per hour,  according to the Canada Government Job Bank. So, in the case of 40 hours per week, the salary range could be between $35,942 to $78,936 per year. The salary range in this field will greatly rely on factors, such as credentials, job titles, education, experience, and your location.

The median salary estimate for some provinces is given below:

  • Alberta – $23.00 per hour
  • British Columbia – $19.23 per hour
  • Manitoba – $21.58 per hour
  • New Brunswick – $25.64 per hour
  • Nova Scotia – $27.00 per hour
  • Ontario – $23.48 per hour
  • PEI – $27.00 per hour
  • Quebec – $26.83 per hour
  • Yukon – $31.17 per hour
  • Saskatchewan – $29.64 per hour

Career strategies for biotechnology job prospects in Canada

When you have solid plans to move to a specific province or city, you must go ahead with your job search in Canada. Use the keywords “biotechnology job prospects” for that specific region and consider the following tips:

  • Get in touch with a mentor in the biotechnology field, who could be a retired biotechnology professional. They would be able to provide you with effective suggestions and insights related to this field. They might also introduce you to prominent individuals in this sector.
  • Participate in business events and networking clubs related to the biotechnology field. You must take the assistance from immigrant-serving agencies.
  • Get in touch with the industry experts for support, and tell everybody you know within this field about your job search.
  • Try PetriDish (within BioTalent Canada), where you can post your CV. You can also subscribe to their job alerts and check the job postings. 

Following the above tips and all the other strategies will help you enhance your biotechnology job prospects in Canada without any hassles.

Do you have any queries on Canadian immigration? Get in touch with our immigration representatives at NavaImmigration by writing to us at [email protected].