Pictured, from left to right: Hardik Upadhyay, Associate Director of Technical Training / Site Manager – Charlottetown; Ron Keefe, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors, Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL); Lawanya Mahesh, CASTL Elevate program participant; Penny Walsh, CASTL CEO; Sean Casey, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence.
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, August 25, 2026 — Today, the Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL) welcomed an investment of up to $8.7 million from the Government of Canada through the Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program. The announcement was made by Sean Casey, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario.
Through its Supporting Workforce Capacity in Canada’s Biomanufacturing Sector project, CASTL will help strengthen Canada’s ability to produce life-saving drugs, vaccines and health products that Canadians rely on, right here at home.
The project will help address persistent skills shortages, connect qualified workers with jobs and open pathways to rewarding careers. Up to 1,800 Canadians, including mid-career and displaced workers, newcomers, underemployed individuals and youth, will receive the training and support they need to succeed in these growing fields. The project will also help people already working in the sector upgrade their skills and build new capabilities as industry needs continue to evolve.
CASTL is Canada’s leading biomanufacturing workforce development and skills training organization. From its three biomanufacturing training facilities in Prince Edward Island, Quebec and British Columbia, CASTL delivers practical, hands-on training that prepares people to work confidently, consistently and safely in highly regulated environments. With graduates from all 10 provinces, CASTL works directly with employers, industry partners, post-secondary institutions and workforce organizations to understand evolving skills needs and translate them into industry-relevant training.
The initiative builds on CASTL’s experience training almost 1,800 individuals over the past four years. Its programs combine foundational knowledge with hands-on learning using industry-relevant equipment and processes, helping learners develop the practical skills employers need. CASTL also works with Canadian life sciences companies as they move from research toward commercialization and manufacturing, helping them access the skilled talent required to grow, scale and succeed in Canada.
Canada’s life sciences and biomanufacturing sector is a key contributor to Canada’s economic resilience. It drives innovation, improves health outcomes, strengthens supply chains, and supports good jobs across the country. As demand for skilled talent continues to grow, investing in workforce development is essential to supporting domestic production, strengthening Canada’s competitiveness on the world stage, and protecting our workers.
Today’s announcement builds on the Prime Minister’s June 14 announcement expanding Canada’s partnership with Ireland in science, technology and culture. As part of that partnership, CASTL signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Ireland’s National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) to strengthen workforce development in the biopharmaceutical and life sciences sectors. Through its longstanding partnership with NIBRT, CASTL brings world-leading expertise and international best practices to Canada, strengthening the skilled workforce needed to drive domestic innovation and growth.
Quotes
“In a time of global trade uncertainty, building a stronger, more resilient Canada starts by investing in our workers. Today’s investment in CASTL’s Supporting Workforce Capacity in Canada’s Biomanufacturing Sector project will help more Canadians gain the skills they need for rewarding careers in life sciences and biomanufacturing, while giving employers access to the talent they need to grow. Together, we are strengthening domestic production, advancing innovation and building more opportunities for Canadians, right here at home.”
– The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario
“Investing in the workforce means investing in Canada’s future. This funding will empower Canadians with what they need to succeed in a competitive job market, creating pathways to meaningful careers. By strengthening workforce development, we are ensuring that our skilled workers are ready to meet the growing demands of the life sciences and biomanufacturing sectors. This investment will help build a more prosperous and resilient Canada and strengthen our contributions to the development of the next generation of medicines.”
– Sean Casey, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence
“Canada’s greatest strength is our people. The Government of Canada is investing in the skills and talent of Canadians, ensuring our workers have the tools they need to drive innovation and grow Canada’s life sciences and biomanufacturing sector, a critical industry for our country’s future. A highly skilled Canadian workforce will help fill the good jobs being created in this rapidly evolving sector and develop the health technologies of tomorrow, right here at home.”
– The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
“Building a skilled workforce is essential to strengthening Canada’s economy, advancing innovation, and ensuring a resilient life sciences sector. This investment will equip employers with the talent they need and Canadian workers with the skills needed for meaningful careers. Working alongside our partners across Canada’s biotechnology sector and post-secondary institutions and building on our longstanding partnership with Ireland’s National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training, we will bring world-leading expertise and best practices to workforce development across Canada. We are grateful to the Government of Canada for its confidence in CASTL and its commitment to strengthening Canada’s life sciences sector.”
– Penny Walsh, CEO, Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences
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, shaping the next generation of life sciences professionals.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Jennifer Kozelj
Senior Communications Advisor and Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario
jennifer.kozelj@labour-travail.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
Heidi Reinblatt
Director, Marketing and Communications
Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL)
heidi@castlcanada.ca