Bioscience Association Manitoba Joins Premier’s Workforce Development Subcommittee to Shape the Future of Talent and Economic Growth
In a significant step toward aligning Manitoba’s economic strategy with the demands of a rapidly evolving global marketplace, the Bioscience Association Manitoba (BAM) has been appointed to the Premier’s Business and Jobs Council, specifically serving on the newly formed Education, Training and Workforce Development Sub-Committee. The announcement, made by Premier Wab Kinew, underscores the provincial government’s commitment to inclusive, forward-looking economic planning that integrates voices from across sectors—including business, labour, Indigenous organizations, and post-secondary education.
This appointment positions BAM at the heart of critical conversations about how Manitoba can best prepare its workforce for the industries of today and tomorrow—particularly in high-growth, knowledge-intensive fields like bioscience. As international trade dynamics shift, especially amid ongoing negotiations with the United States, Manitoba is strategically reinforcing its domestic capabilities to ensure long-term resilience, competitiveness, and prosperity.
A Strategic Role for the Bioscience Sector
The bioscience sector—encompassing biotechnology, life sciences, medical research, agricultural innovation, pharmaceuticals, and advanced manufacturing—is one of Manitoba’s most dynamic and promising economic engines. It drives innovation, attracts investment, creates high-value jobs, and contributes significantly to global health and sustainability solutions. However, its continued success hinges on a reliable, skilled, and adaptable talent pipeline.
BAM’s inclusion on the subcommittee reflects both recognition of the sector’s strategic importance and the need for targeted workforce development strategies that address its unique demands. From laboratory technicians and regulatory affairs specialists to bioinformatics experts and commercialization professionals, the bioscience ecosystem requires a multidisciplinary workforce grounded in science, technology, and business acumen.
We’re excited to be part of this important Council to contribute a bioscience perspective to conversations around sector, education, training, and workforce development,” said Andrea Ladouceur, President and CEO of BAM. “Building and retaining talent is critical to the long-term success of Manitoba’s economy. This table gives us the opportunity to share industry insight, identify gaps, and help shape solutions that connect people to meaningful careers while supporting economic growth across the province.
Addressing Workforce Gaps Through Collaboration
One of BAM’s core mandates is to expand the bioscience sector’s skills base and support workforce development initiatives that bridge the gap between academic training and real-world industry needs. Historically, mismatches between educational outputs and employer requirements have posed challenges—not only in bioscience but across many technical fields. By participating in the Premier’s subcommittee, BAM can advocate for curriculum enhancements, experiential learning opportunities, apprenticeships, and upskilling programs tailored to emerging bioscience roles.
Moreover, the subcommittee provides a platform to address systemic barriers to employment, including access for underrepresented groups such as women, Indigenous peoples, newcomers, and rural communities. Diversifying the bioscience workforce isn’t just an equity imperative—it’s an economic one. A broader talent pool fosters greater innovation, resilience, and market responsiveness.
The timing of this appointment is particularly crucial. With global supply chains under pressure and nations prioritizing domestic production of critical goods—from vaccines to food technologies—Manitoba has a unique opportunity to position itself as a hub for bioscience innovation. But seizing that opportunity requires coordinated action between government, industry, and academia.
Strengthening Manitoba’s Economic Foundations
The creation of the Education, Training and Workforce Development Sub-Committee signals a deeper integration of human capital strategy into Manitoba’s overall economic planning. No longer treated as a separate concern, workforce readiness is now central to business attraction, retention, and expansion efforts. This holistic approach recognizes that a strong economy is built not just on infrastructure or tax policy, but on people—their skills, their potential, and their ability to adapt.
For BAM, this means advocating for policies and programs that:
- Support STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education from K–12 through post-secondary levels;
- Expand co-op, internship, and work-integrated learning placements in bioscience firms;
- Facilitate credential recognition for internationally trained professionals;
- Invest in reskilling and upskilling pathways for mid-career workers transitioning into bioscience roles;
- Foster partnerships between colleges, universities, and private-sector labs to co-develop curricula;
- Promote bioscience careers through public awareness campaigns targeting youth and diverse communities.
These initiatives align closely with BAM’s mission to act as a catalyst for innovation and a unified voice for the sector. By embedding industry perspectives directly into provincial workforce planning, BAM helps ensure that investments in education and training yield tangible returns—in job creation, company growth, and export potential.
A Collaborative Vision for the Future
BAM’s role on the subcommittee is not about speaking for the bioscience sector in isolation, but about collaborating across sectors to build a more robust, interconnected economy. For example, advances in agricultural biotech benefit not only farmers but also food processors, logistics companies, and environmental consultants. Similarly, breakthroughs in health diagnostics ripple through hospitals, insurance providers, and digital health startups.
This interconnectedness demands a collaborative governance model—one that the Premier’s Business and Jobs Council exemplifies. By bringing together leaders from diverse backgrounds, the council fosters cross-sectoral dialogue, identifies synergies, and co-creates solutions that are both practical and scalable.
Looking ahead, BAM will leverage its seat at the table to champion evidence-based, future-focused policies that anticipate workforce needs five, ten, or even twenty years out. This includes embracing emerging trends such as artificial intelligence in drug discovery, precision agriculture, regenerative medicine, and green biomanufacturing—all areas where Manitoba already has pockets of excellence but needs systemic support to scale.
About Bioscience Association Manitoba (BAM)
Bioscience Association Manitoba (BAM) is a not-for-profit industry association dedicated to enabling commercial success for Manitoba’s bioscience companies. Through advocacy, partnership building, and strategic programming, BAM acts as a catalyst for innovation, expands the sector’s skills and workforce development capacity, and leads with one unified voice to create local and global engagement. Its membership includes startups, established firms, research institutions, and service providers united by a shared vision: to make Manitoba a globally recognized leader in bioscience.
BAM’s appointment to the Premier’s Business and Jobs Council’s Education, Training and Workforce Development Sub-Committee marks a pivotal moment for Manitoba’s economic trajectory. It affirms the bioscience sector’s strategic value and ensures that its workforce needs are integrated into the province’s highest-level planning. As global competition intensifies and technological change accelerates, Manitoba’s ability to cultivate, attract, and retain top talent will determine its success. With BAM at the table, the province gains a powerful ally in building a future where innovation, inclusion, and economic growth go hand in hand.
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