OBIO® Expands Programming to Prepare Talent for Entering the Health Science Industry

New wage subsidies available to eligible employers

TORONTO, ON – April 28, 2022 – The Ontario Bioscience Innovation Organization (OBIO®), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing health technology innovation and commercialization, is excited to announce the expansion of its Health to Business Bridge™ Program (H2BB™) with support from the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development as part of a new $1.9 million investment in OBIO®.

Since 2017, OBIO® has successfully orchestrated and delivered the H2BB™ program to prepare professionals to transition into the health science industry by equipping them with the skills, knowledge and resources they need to get up to speed quickly and build a solid foundation in the field. This new funding will enable OBIO® to help companies attract and retain talent with a background in health science and those transitioning into the industry. OBIO® will also support health science companies to facilitate new hiring and ensure a smooth transition for personnel entering the sector by providing a wage subsidy grant to each company.

“We need to be prepared to meet and capitalize on the increased demand for industry-ready talent in Ontario as we recover from the pandemic,” says Maura Campbell, CEO and President at OBIO®. “This new funding will allow us to bring the successful model of H2BB™ training programs and bootcamps to a wider pool of talent and employers.”

Through H2BB™, OBIO® has provided industry-specific training to the rapidly growing health science and technology industry to more than 300 individuals.

“OBIO’s H2BB™ will deliver training to new entrants into the workforce, empowering them with the skills they need to transition smoothly into key roles in scaling companies like ours,” says Frank Florio. Vice President, Strategy & Business Development at Myant. “As the health science industry in Ontario continues to mature, we remain challenged to find the right talent and will rely on this important program.”

“Like many industries, employers in Ontario’s health sciences sector continue to face a shortage of skilled workers needed to grow their businesses,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development. “The Health to Business Bridge Program will connect talented workers with the training needed to join growing companies and earn bigger paycheques for themselves and their families.”  

“It is vital that scaling life sciences companies attract, train and retain the talent they need,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “OBIO’s program complements what we are looking to accomplish with Ontario’s Life Sciences Strategy.”

To learn more about H2BB™ and the OBIO® Job Board and Talent Network, visit www.obio.ca/obioh2bb.