Workforce Development
The Business Case For Training Investment In Ontario's Meat Processing Sector
Our project to 'Identify the Needs and Barriers to Training for Ontario’s Meat Processing Sector' was made possible through the funding support provided by the Food and Beverage Industry Innovation Fund, under the joint responsibility of the Agricultural Adaptation Council (funded by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada), OMAFRA, and the Alliance of Ontario Food Processors.
The project involved a survey of sector employers, focus groups of sector employers, interviews with employers and educators, Statistic Canada sector data analysis, and the analysis of meat course curricula in Ontario and Western Canada. The project resulted in the development of “The Business Case for Training Investment in Ontario's Meat Processing Sector”, which sets out five goals for 2015 and provides a series of seven recommendations to ensure our sector is ready for the future.
All the demographic trends in Ontario point to the fact that our workforce will begin to experience an ever-increasing number of retirements in the decade ahead, as the Baby Boom generation ages. Ensuring your people have the right skills is one of the keys to your sustainability and your future success.
AOFP
The Alliance of Ontario Food Processors is leading the way in developing strategies to address the labour-related needs of Ontario’s food and beverage processing industry.
Taste Your Future
Dedicated to increasing the awareness of the industry as a viable employment opportunity. Take the career quiz to see what area of work would best suit you or visit the resource section where you will find job postings and more.
Destination Excellence
Provides comprehensive workforce ‘best management’ tools and resources tailored to meet the needs of companies including; Best Practice Fact Sheets, Employee Turnover Calculator, Best Practice Assessments, Curriculum Modules, and Immigrant Worker Resources. Destination Excellence materials are designed to be used in a variety of ways and delivered by different mediums enabling companies to develop an effective workforce management system that will make them top choice employers. The target audience of these materials includes company principals, managers, supervisors, lead hands, and human resource staff.
Ontario Institute of Food Processing Technology (OIFPT)
The 60,000 sq.-ft. OIFPT, being built at Conestoga College in Kitchener, Ontario, will serve as a training ground for much-needed skilled professionals in food and beverage processing. It will mirror the most advanced technologies, processes, and health and safety standards of Ontario’s processing plants and it will focus on skills training in areas such as food safety, process automation, industrial electrical systems, refrigeration technologies, and plant management/supervision. September 2011 is the target date for the first enrollment.
Apprenticeship – Process Operator – Food Manufacturing
The Process Operator - Food Manufacturing Apprenticeship Program is designed to provide students with a theoretical knowledge along with the practical skills needed for entry into the field. The program is approximately 300 hours consisting of an 88 hour - Level One course, a 152 hour - Level Two course, and a 60 hour - Level Three course.
