Charlottetown, PE — October 20, 2025. The Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL), Canada’s biomanufacturing training partner, is proud to announce the launch of the tenth and eleventh cohorts of the PEI Bioscience Reskilling Program—now in its fourth year of delivery. This initiative is made possible through continued support from the Government of Prince Edward Island’s Department of Workforce, Advanced Learning and Population, whose sustained investment over the past several years has helped hundreds of Islanders transition into careers in the province’s thriving bioscience sector.
This funding extension highlights the program’s success and Skills PEI’s commitment to equipping Islanders with the skills and opportunities to succeed in the bioscience industry. The PEI Bioscience Reskilling Program is an innovative initiative designed to reskill unemployed or underemployed individuals living in PEI, preparing them for careers in the sector.
The 10-week program includes a comprehensive curriculum covering essential topics such as health and safety, an overview of the biomanufacturing industry, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), instrumentation, and lab skills. Participants benefit from hands-on training at CASTL’s state-of-the-art facility in Charlottetown, industry-informed course content, industry-experienced instructors, valuable networking opportunities, and a four-week on-the-job training placement with local bioscience employers.
Since its launch in March 2021, nine cohorts have completed the program, graduating over one hundred participants, with a 95% satisfaction rate. Among the most recent cohort, 70% of graduates received job offers within one month of program completion. Employers who hired reskilled graduates reported an average 55% reduction in onboarding time.
The PEI Bioscience Reskilling Program is funded by the Department of Workforce, Advanced Learning and Population through the Canada-PEI Labour Market Agreements.
The program welcomes applicants from diverse educational and professional backgrounds who are looking to transition into the bioscience field. The next cohort begins January 19, 2026.
For more information or to apply, please consult the CASTL PEI Bioscience Reskilling Program webpage. <
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“CASTL is proud to deliver industry-informed skills and training to develop a much-needed talent pool for PEI’s fast-growing bioscience sector. With this support, we are reskilling individuals from various backgrounds and preparing them for meaningful careers in industry.”
— Penny Walsh McGuire, CEO of CASTL
“Continuing support for CASTL through the two additional cohorts and increased funding for the PEI Bioscience Reskilling Program ensures continued growth and long-term impact. This investment strengthens the bioscience workforce and contributes to a more prosperous future for the sector on PEI.”
—Jenn Redmond, Minister of Workforce, Advanced Learning and Population
“PEI’s bioscience companies are growing and require skilled talent to realize their fullest potential. Expanding CASTL’s PEI Bioscience Reskilling Program can help employers fill roles faster while opening new career paths for people. For companies, the program significantly reduces employer training time, better prepares trainees for the rigours of their new work environments, and tailors new recruits to jobs that are in demand which benefits the sector as a whole.”
— Lauren Ledwell, CEO, PEI BioAlliance
If you’re considering a career in biosciences, learn more about the PEI Bioscience Reskilling Program and apply at: https://www.castlcanada.ca/en/reskilling-program
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About CASTL
The Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL) is Canada’s biomanufacturing training partner, dedicated to developing skilled talent to drive the country’s thriving biomanufacturing sector. With state-of-the-art, GMP-simulated facilities from coast to coast (in Charlottetown, PE; Montreal QC, and Vancouver, BC), CASTL delivers hands-on, industry-informed training alongside flexible online learning. As Canada’s exclusive provider of National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) programs, CASTL offers world-class education with support from adMare BioInnovations and its adMare Academy, shaping the next generation of life sciences professionals.
Media Inquiries
Heidi Reinblatt
Director, Marketing and Communications
Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL)
Heidi@castlcanada.ca
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