Toronto, ON – August 24, 2026 – Ontario’s isotope sector is entering a period of significant growth, placing greater attention on the workforce growth needed to support the industry’s next stage of development. As isotope production increases and new technologies advance, the Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council (CNIC) is embarking on a new project to assess skills gaps and training needs across the province’s medical isotope ecosystem.
This year-long project, made possible by Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, will develop an Ontario Medical Isotope Workforce Development Report, a sector-wide initiative that will assess current and emerging skills gaps across isotope production, processing, radiopharmaceutical manufacturing, logistics, and related training pathways. Building on the CNIC’s existing work to strengthen isotope education and workforce development, this project will help identify where skilled workers are needed to support Ontario’s continued growth and position as a global leader in medical isotope production.
This study is part of a $10.9 million investment from the Government of Ontario through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) Training Stream to strengthen the healthcare workforce in the province by expanding training opportunities to prepare nearly 2,000 workers for in-demand careers.
“Ontario’s medical isotope sector is growing, and our government is making sure its workforce grows with it,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “We’re looking ahead to understand where the jobs are going and what skills workers will need to seize those opportunities. This investment will help build the talent pipeline, create more good-paying careers and ensure Ontario has the skilled workforce to drive this innovative sector forward.”
Through the formation of the Nuclear Isotope Innovation Council of Ontario (NIICO) in July 2025, Ontario has set an ambitious goal to double isotope production by 2030, in line with the CNIC’s Isotopes for Hope campaign. Achieving this goal will require more than infrastructure alone; it will depend on a workforce with the specialized skills needed to support highly regulated, technically complex, and time-sensitive isotope operations.
This project will engage with Ontario-based CNIC members and employers spanning the early stages of the supply chain, academic institutions, training organizations, and sector stakeholders through an in-depth consultation process that includes a targeted survey and interview process. Ultimately, the Workforce Development Report will make recommendations to industry, training institutions, and the provincial government alike to strengthen training pathways and alleviate future workforce pressures.
“Canada’s isotope leadership has always depended on people as much as infrastructure,” said Melody Greaves, Executive Director and Vice President, Government Relations at the CNIC. “As Ontario looks to expand production and support new isotope technologies, the sector needs a stronger understanding of its workforce pressure points. This project will help the CNIC bring new data, employer input, and practical recommendations into that conversation.”
The project comes at a pivotal time for Canada’s isotope sector, following the Government of Canada’s commitment to develop a comprehensive Radioisotope Strategy to strengthen our domestic value chain and international presence.
The views expressed contained in the report are those of the CNIC and do not necessarily reflect those of the Province of Ontario. The Government of Ontario and its agencies are in no way bound by any recommendations contained in the document.
About the Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council
The Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council (CNIC) is an independent, not-for-profit advocacy and member services organization. The CNIC supports over 130 members from across science, academia, healthcare, and nuclear-sector organizations dedicated to maintaining Canada’s position as a global leader in the production of life-saving isotopes. The CNIC raises awareness and advocates for long-term policies that support health-care innovation and will save countless lives for decades to come.
To learn more about the CNIC, visit www.CanadianIsotopes.ca and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, or please contact:
Evan Cameron
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications
Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council
evan.cameron@canadianisotopes.ca