Skilled Newcomer Internships for the Bio-economy

$20,000 wage subsidy to make the bio-economy more diverse and inclusive

Applications for Skilled Newcomer Internships for the Bio-economy are no longer being accepted. Please visit biotalent.ca/programs for information about other open programs for which you may be eligible. And for any other inquiries please contact [email protected].

Canada’s bio-economy must become more diverse if the industry is to reach the talent needs of the next decade. Today, recent immigrants and internationally educated professionals (IEP) make up 26% of the workforce. The Skilled Newcomer Internship for the Bio-economy opens the door to newcomers and offers valuable work experience needed to grow a career in Canada’s bio-economy.

Program description

Many newcomers to Canada—IEPS and recent immigrants—struggle to find work in Canada’s bio-economy. There are many reasons for this, one of which is antiquated human resources plans employed by employers that rely on arm’s-length recruitment.

The Skilled Newcomer Internship for the Bio-economy program helps newcomers get a foot in the door. The program covers 75% of a participant’s salary up to a maximum of $20,000 for bio-economy employers to hire, accommodate and train IEPs for a three-to-nine-month work placement. It presents an opportunity for employers to access talented individuals they might not have otherwise considered for roles.

In addition to the wage subsidy, the program provides participants with free enrolment in BioTalent Canada’s suite of Essential Skills and Technical Skills training courses. Another benefit, especially relevant to recent immigrants and IEPs is access to the BioSkills Recognition Program .

Employers are provided with key onboarding tools, including a diversity and inclusion HR policy template and on-going monitoring to ensure program success.

Employer criteria

Employer must:

  • offer full-time positions (at least 30 hours per week) for a three-to-nine month placement;
  • remunerate the balance of the wages not paid by BioTalent Canada to the participant;
  • provide BioTalent Canada with monthly financial claims, progress reports, and data upon request; and
  • provide the application form including:
    • PIF, applicant checklist, direct deposit information, participant resume, company description, job description, and a learning plan developed with the participant.

This position must not be funded by another Federally funded program like IRAP, Mitacs, etc.

Participant criteria

To qualify for the Skilled Newcomer Internship for the Bio-economy program, a participant must be:

  • a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person who has been granted refugee status in Canada;
  • legally entitled to work according to the relevant provincial legislation and regulation;
  • a new Immigrant to Canada (in Canada 5 years or less);
  • seeking first full-time work experience in Canada’s bio-economy;
  • not in receipt of Employment Insurance (EI) benefits; and
  • new (not yet employed) to the organization applying for funding.

If you have any questions or require further information, you can contact Colleen, at 1-866-243-2472, ext. 218 or [email protected] to connect you to an employer.