Q: Please explain what the CareersNOW! program is?
A: CareersNOW! was created and launched by Food and Beverage Ontario in 2021 to facilitate connections between employers in Ontario’s food and beverage processing industry and jobseekers and students exploring career opportunities or ready to start a job. The program is based on a collaborative model, with several project partners that are industry associations and post-secondary educators, to leverage the best expertise and resources available.
Q: How is the program helping to address the labour shortage being faced by the food industry?
A: The current workforce for Ontario’s food and beverage processing industry is approximately 125,000 people. Like other sectors, this industry is experiencing labour and skills vacancies as high as 20% of the workforce due to a retiring labour force and lack of sufficient talent attraction. CareersNOW! has a mandate to engage jobseekers and students on career opportunities by sharing information, and providing connecting tools and resources for businesses and jobseekers, such as job fairs, mentorship and coaching, skills training, and an employment platform. CareersNOW! is available at no cost to participants.
Q: What sectors of the industry are facing the largest labour gaps?
A: Beverage processing is experiencing large gaps as is meat and poultry processing.
Q: What are some of the most in-demand skills and jobs in the food industry today? What jobs do you see growing in demand?
A: In-demand jobs continue to be in production and the skilled trades. Emerging jobs for the future will demand skills in innovation, automation, and advanced manufacturing. For example, expertise in sustainability, including new packaging strategies and food waste management, are in growing demand.
Q: Food technology, automation and digitization are becoming more common in food production. How are companies retraining current employees to fill these roles?
A: The food and beverage processing industry has a good reputation and a strong track record in providing training and professional development for its workforce. Food Processing Skills Canada, a CareersNOW! partner, in particular offers several training and employee development programs for Canadian businesses. Of course, skilled individuals will also always be in demand.
Q: If companies are filling technical roles with non-food professionals from other industries, what do skilled professionals need to understand about working in the food industry?
A: It is important to remember that this industry is largely comprised of small- to medium-sized businesses with less than 100 employees. It is common to see an individual that has started their career in an entry level role grow professionally with the same company into management and leadership positions. Professionals that are new to the food and beverage industry can also participate in the CareersNOW! Job Ready Skills Training program. This online training offers 15 introductory courses to learners on relevant subjects including industry onboarding, food safety, good manufacturing practices, sanitation, industrial workplace safety, lock out/tag out, and allergens. The training is a great place for individuals to learn in a self-paced, online learning management system, and receive certificates for each completed course that can be shared with prospective employers.
Q: Are you seeing more food companies offer special benefits to attract new hires and retain employees?
A: Yes. Food and beverage companies have made a commitment to communicate their value as an employer. For so long the focus for a business was on product marketing, now there is a shift to also branding the company as a top employer with an attractive workplace culture and rewarding career opportunities. It’s an exciting time for businesses and jobseekers to learn about each other.
Q: Anything else to add about labour and the food industry?