2021 Career Connect Day – B.C.’s Largest Life Sciences Job Fair Attracts Top Employers

VANCOUVER, British Columbia–/COMMUNITYWIRE/–Addressing the need to find new talent to sustain the growth of the B.C.’s life sciences sector, LifeSciences BC, a non-governmental, non-profit association catalyzing the sector’s impact and growth in B.C. and BioTalent Canada, the Human Resources partner and facilitator for talent growth in Canada’s bio-economy, are partnering once again to bring together the largest life sciences job fair in B.C., the virtual LifeSciences BC Career Connect Day event on January 22, 2021.

Identified as a key recommendation in several sectorial reports, world-class talent is deemed to be an area of shortage facing the growth of this sector in Canada. Now in its second year, this highly successful networking event addresses that gap by helping life sciences companies connect with STEM grads, along with all those seeking new opportunities to either begin or enhance their careers in the life sciences sector. Attendees will get the opportunity to connect with top life sciences companies like, Xenon Pharmaceuticals, Precision NanoSystems, STEMCELL Technologies, Amgen British Columbia, Zymeworks, AbCellera, StarFish Medical, UBC and many others.

The Honourable Ravi Kahlon, the newly appointed Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation, will kick off the 2^nd Annual Career Connect Day event in a Fireside Chat discussion with Wendy Hurlburt, President and CEO of LifeSciences BC. The discussion will cover a range of topics including his mandate as the new minister, programs for employers and companies to stimulate B.C.’s economic recovery, and how the B.C. government supports talent development in the innovation and life sciences sectors.

“The Career Connect Day provides an incredible opportunity to bring together compatible employers and employees in this specialized sector,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation. “Developing talent for the jobs of the future is key to B.C.’s competitive advantage. With the right talent in place, we will continue to sustain a world-class life sciences industry and drive economic growth.”

“We know this is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the province and critical to B.C.’s economic recovery. Accessing talent is a key pillar of our mandate as an association and a top strategic priority for life sciences companies. This event is a perfect opportunity to showcase the breadth of life sciences careers; profile and introduce the companies to prospective employees while connecting potential employees to employers.” said Wendy Hurlburt, President and CEO, LifeSciences BC.

The event also includes sessions with industry leaders like Dr. Dermot Kelleher, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia; Tom Frohlich, Chief Business Officer, Chinook Therapeutics; Helen Sheridan, Vice President, Human Resources, STEMCELL Technologies, Shelley McKloskey, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Xenon Pharmaceuticals, and other sector leaders sharing their perspectives and advice for those seeking careers in life sciences.

“2020 was a unique year for career development; but it was also rife with new and exciting opportunities,” explains Rob Henderson, President and CEO, BioTalent Canada. “With Canadian innovation at an all-time high, as well as opportunities for career development and training plentiful and accessible, it’s a great time to be a STEM graduate seeking a career in the life sciences sector.”

Event Details

• Date: January 22, 2021
• Time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM PST
• Location: Virtual
• Tickets: https://www.accelevents.com/e/u/checkout/CareerConnectDay2021/tickets/order

Agenda

• 8 am – Event platform opens
• 9 am – Fireside Chat with the Honourable Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation & Wendy Hurlburt, President & CEO, LifeSciences BC
• 9.30 am – Networking and one-on-one meetings
• 10 am – Session: Perspectives from HR Leaders – Panel Discussion
• 11 am – Careers in Life Sciences
• 12.30 pm – Networking
• 1 pm – Career Development Strategies in Life Sciences
• 3 pm – Workshop presented by Indeed

For more information about LifeSciences BC’s Career Connect Day, you can go to the LifeSciences BC website to review the Agenda and Register.

About LifeSciences BC

LifeSciences BC is a non-governmental, non-profit association supporting the life sciences sector of British Columbia. The Association undertakes numerous initiatives including; local, national and international partnerships that help facilitate investment and global partnering opportunities while nurturing economic development in B.C. www.lifesciencesbc.ca

Contacts

PR Associates
Kamran Shaikh, Sr. Account Manager
kshaikh@prassociates.com
Cell: +1 (778) 846-5406

BioTalent Canada
Sue Callaghan, Events & Project Coordinator
scallaghan@biotalent.ca or talent@lifesciencesbc.ca

LifeSciences BC
Susan Ogilvie, Senior Manager, Communications & External Affairs
sogilvie@lifesciencesbc.ca