BioTalent Canada: Work-Integrated Learning Critical to Canada’s Innovation Economy Says New Report

By connecting post-secondary talent with SMEs, SWPP supports sectors critical to Canada’s economic transition.

The report, Results with Impact: The ROI of Student Talent, underscores BioTalent Canada’s SWPP project’s role in building domestic talent pipelines through paid, hands-on work experiences that help students enter the workforce with relevant skills while giving Canadian businesses the capacity to grow.

Since its launch in 2017, BioTalent Canada, with the support of SWPP, has delivered:

• Over 16,000 placements across the country;
• Participation from 2,523 employers – 70% of them small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); and,
• A strong track record of job creation, with 75% of employers stating placements would or may not have been created without SWPP funding, and an additional 6% saying the subsidy allowed them to create more placements.

Additionally, the report finds the project has demonstrated impact through:

• 73% of student participants from under-represented groups.
• 98% employer satisfaction rate, almost all indicating they would participate again.
• 70% of employers said they would consider hiring their student for a long-term role after the placement, directly contributing to Canada’s future labour force.

“Our SWPP-funded project has proven to be a strong driver of Canada’s innovation economy,” says Rob Henderson, President and CEO of BioTalent Canada. “It enables employers, especially small and medium-sized companies, to bring in the talent they need to innovate and compete, while giving students real-world experience that sets them up for long-term success. Without it, most of these jobs wouldn’t exist.”

“When young people are given the support they need to succeed in the workforce, all of Canada benefits,” said Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario. “The Student Work Placement Program contributes to building a strong Canadian economy by providing students with hands-on experience that will enable them to learn new skills, unlock their full potential and open doors for their future careers. This Program is about making sure that the next generation can succeed and build a future full of opportunities.”

The benefits of the project extend beyond individual employers. By connecting post-secondary talent with SMEs it supports sectors critical to Canada’s economic transition. It helps businesses meet immediate workflow needs while building the workforce required to address challenges like shifting labour markets, Canada’s energy ambitions, and strengthening global competitiveness.

While the results are clear, the report stresses that sustained impact requires stability. BioTalent Canada is calling on the federal government to make the program permanent, warning that funding gaps could undermine youth employment, innovation, and the competitiveness of Canadian SMEs.

“Embedding SWPP permanently into Canada’s economic strategy will fuel innovation, create good jobs and ensure the resilience of employers across the country,” Henderson says.

To read the full report, visit biotalent.ca/resultswithimpact.

Rob Henderson is available for comment.

About BioTalent Canada
BioTalent Canada supports the people behind life-changing science. Trusted as the go-to source for labour market intelligence, BioTalent Canada guides bio-economy contributors with evidence-based data and industry-driven standards. BioTalent Canada, as a workforce development council, is focused on igniting the industry’s brainpower, bridging the gap between job-ready talent and employers, and ensuring the long-term agility, resiliency and sustainability of one of Canada’s most vital sectors.

BioTalent Canada has received varied distinctions following a thorough and independent analysis of the organization. By practicing the same industry standards it recommends to partners, the organization has been honoured with the following titles:

• Great Place to Work® since 2019 and one of the Best Workplaces in Healthcare for 2023 by Great Place to Work Canada®
• The Best Leader in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the 2024 Best Ottawa Business Awards
• 2024 Collaboration Catalyst by Magnet Network
• One of Canada’s Best Places to Work by HRD Canada for 2024
• 5-Star Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Employer by Canadian HR Reporter since 2023

For more information, visit biotalent.ca.

About Student Work Placement Program (SWPP)
The Student Work Placement Program provides wage subsidies covering 50% of a student’s salary up to $5,000, and 70% up to $7,000 for first-year students and under-represented groups, including women in STEM, Indigenous students, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, and newcomers to Canada. Since 2017, more than 350 post-secondary institutions across Canada have had students participate in SWPP.

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KEYWORD: NORTH AMERICA CANADA

INDUSTRY KEYWORD: BIOTECHNOLOGY HEALTH CONTINUING TRAINING EDUCATION

SOURCE: BioTalent Canada

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PUB: 09/15/2025 08:58 AM/DISC: 09/15/2025 08:57 AM

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