1.3 Occupational Clusters: Biotechnology
Introduction
There is no single or simple description of the biotechnology industry. It is not an industry in the usual sense. Biotechnology, as its name implies, is an enabling group of technologies that can be applied across a wide variety of industrial and commercial processes. It has important applications in industries related to human health, such as diagnostics and pharmaceuticals, as well as to agriculture and food, forestry, environment and energy, biology and health.
A wide variety of private and public sector particpants are involved in the biotechnology sector; including companies, governments, research institutes, hospitals, universities and technical colleges. The sector is heavily focused on therapeutics and diagnostics for human health.
Biotechnology in Ontario:
- 3,346 employed (28% of Canada) in 101 biotech companies
- $1,376M in biotech revenues
- employment down 0.5% in 2004
The majority (70-80%) of Ontario’s biotechnology employees work in the health care sector.
Career Clusters in Biotechnology:
- Sales and marketing
- Quality control assurance
- Administration and regulation
- Clinical research
- Manufacturing and field work
- Research and development
“Skill-intensive” positions (scientific research/direction and technicians) make up the bulk of biotech employment in Canada, with 52% in 1999 and 49% in 2001. Ontario has the largest portion of its workforce in finance and marketing positions, a sign of its growing maturity.
Biotechnology Human Resources Challenges
The majority of firms in Canadian biotechnology are very small. Technology, financing and basic survival tend to be the issues highest on the corporate agenda. HR concerns tend to be secondary although firms want access to “job-ready” employees who can grow and adapt with the company.
In addition:
- qualified managers,
- intellectual property experts and
- regulatory affairs specialists
were all deemed to be in short supply.
Management Talent
The Canadian biotechnology industry needs experienced managers that can guide company growth and move products through the commercialization process to the marketplace. Managers of smaller firms need a mix of skills. They have to manage technology, find funding, develop alliances and make the deals that are required to achieve commercial success. In addition, they need all the skills required to run what is initially a small business that will likely grow rapidly. Companies have had to import individuals with the required skills and expertise mix from the larger pool in the US. This shortage of qualified people is impacting the growth of Canadian biotechnology.
Research notes a persistent shortage of people who combine strong technical abilities with essential skills (e.g. communications and teamwork) and management skills (e.g. cost control and budgeting). In all five sectors, executives reported that it is a significant challenge to find technically competent people who can work in teams, communicate effectively and apply their technical knowledge to real world business problems.
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