Addressing the Skills Challenge

A unique approach by the Ontario food and beverage processing

industry

Craig RichardsonPresident, Grand River FoodsChair, Alliance of Ontario Food ProcessorsChair, Conestoga College Board of Governors

This is NOT what I mean when I talk about food processors!

From the farm...

To the table...

Food Processors are in between

Ontario’s Food & Beverage Processing Industry

• $34 billion in shipments – 2nd only to the automotive sector in terms of manufacturing importance• Largest manufacturing employer in Ontario – 110 000 direct jobs• Growing industry – at a time when other manufacturing sectors were declining the food processing industry was growing

A Strong, Stable IndustryGrowing!

• Food and beverage processing is the largest manufacturing sector in Canada and it’s growing!

Innovative!• State of the art, high tech equipment – more advanced skills• New products

Diverse!• From sweets & meats to wine & milk• Both rural and urban communities

Opportunities!• Stable jobs, meaningful income and growth opportunities

The Alliance of Ontario Food Processors was founded in 2003 to address the common concerns and challenges of the food and beverage processing industry.

AOFP currently has a membership of over 650 food and beverage processors, including group members - Association of Ontario Chicken Processors, Baking Association of Canada, Ontario Dairy Council, Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Processors Association, Ontario Independent Meat Processors, and Wine Council of Ontario - as well as individual member companies from across the sector.

Issues addressed by AOFP include labour and human resources, environment, business management, regulatory affairs, and government relations.

Key Challenge for the Industry – Finding Skilled Labour

In an industry survey conducted by AOFP, 4 out of 5 CEOs cited finding skilled labour to be their #1 challenge• PLC/Robotics – electronic instrument technicians• Industrial electricians• Millwrights• Process operators• Stationary engineers• High-speed packaging mechanics• Supervisory

Solution Driven by Industry• Industry-led solution developed• Business plan was developed through consultation with

stakeholders including industry, government and academia

• Solution – focused training/education centre at Conestoga College – Institute of Food Processing Technology

• Funding came from Regional, Federal & Provincial governments

Mission“We develop a highly skilled workforce by providing education and training programs

that meet the needs of the food and beverage manufacturing industry”

• Officially opened September 2011 at the new Cambridge campus of Conestoga College

• Students are enrolled in the Food Processing Technician (co-op) – 2 year Ontario College Diploma program and Process Operator – Food Manufacturing Apprenticeship

• IFPT also offers an on-line food safety course to meet the requirements of industry and job seekers

• Further programming is being developed to meet industry needs

Why IFPT is Unique• One of a kind facility in Canada• State of the art pilot plant – full size, small capacity• Modern laboratory – for quality control and food safety testing• Faculty – all with strong, multi-lateral food processing background• Hands-on learning, co-op focused

Career and salary possibilities for IFPT graduates

Production Associate (25-30K/yr)Sanitation Associate (30-40K/yr)Machine Operator (30-40K/yr)Batcher (35-45K/yr)Quality Assurance Technician (45K/yr)Maintenance Technician (40-50K/yr)Food Technologist (45-55K/yr)Food Safety Coordinator (45-70K/yr)Production Lead Hand (50-60K/yr)Production Supervisor (50-60k/yr) Food Inspector (50-85K/yr)Production Manager (60-100K/yr)Food Plant Manager (80-120K/yr

Potential employers – from small, local businesses to large

multi-national companies

What Else Is Industry Doing?• AOFP supports the IFPT through a 4-year commitment to fund the Chair position• the Taste Your Future campaign was started by AOFP to encourage high school students, new Canadians and second career seekers to consider a career in the food and beverage processing industry• together with IFPT staff, AOFP visits high schools, career fairs, industry events, and makes public presentations to raise the profile of the industry and the excellent opportunities for training and employment• for more information visit www.tasteyourfuture.ca

Contact Us

Jane Graham, Executive Director519-650-3741

alliance@aofp.cawww.aofp.ca