Canada invests $5.5M in food industry skills training program

Food Processing Skills Canada receives a $5.5 million funding commitment from the Government of Canada’s Skills for Success program to launch Skills Training Across Canada. It aims to support 800 frontline workers and 1,500 jobseekers in the food and beverage manufacturing industry, which contributes $35.2 billion to Canada’s GDP.

“Ensuring Canadian employers have the right tools to support their employees to excel in their career is a top priority for FPSC,” said Jennefer Griffith, executive director of FPSC. “Over the years, we have learned that more than 90 per cent of participants in our previous programs state improved job performance and improved company productivity. When new hires and employees feel valued through training and professional development, the confidence and competence of a business’ workforce grows exponentially.”

The program will provide training in foundational and transferable skills through training, webinars and resources available in multiple languages, including French, Spanish, Mandarin, and Tagalog. Training for new hires will begin in January 2025, while job readiness training will be available this fall.

“The STAC program for supervisors that we completed in 2023 has been invaluable to our team. The training is frequently referenced throughout our company, equipping employees with the skills needed to enhance their abilities and excel in their day-to-day duties. I highly recommend the new STAC for fostering engagement and developing strong employees within any organization,” said Brennan Wiens, HR manager of Harvest Meats.