Government of Canada helps new researchers gain 21st century workforce skills

June 02, 2009

Ottawa, June 2, 2009 - The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology), today announced projects to help science graduates expand their professional and personal skills so they can make a successful transition from the classroom to the workplace.

“Our government is investing in science and technology to create jobs, strengthen the economy and improve the quality of life of Canadians,” said Minister Goodyear. “These grants will give science grads the skills they need to find work and give them a head start on their careers.”

The funding is being provided under the new Collaborative Research and Training Experience (CREATE) Program. Launched by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) in May 2008, CREATE gives science graduates the enhanced skills set they need for careers in industry, government or academia. Important areas of training include commercialization, communication and project management. Students may also be exposed to other research groups, either nationally or internationally, establishing links that will further their chosen careers.

Under these inaugural grants, 20 projects at universities across Canada will share $32 million over six years. The projects focus on a variety of research areas, including nanotechnology, aquaculture, biomedical engineering and biodiversity.

“The CREATE program will allow our graduates to become in-demand, professional researchers nationally and internationally, ” said Dr. Suzanne Fortier, President of NSERC.  “This initiative will not only improve the skills of Canada’s next generation of world-class scientists; it will also attract highly qualified people and retain them in the workforce.”