Ontario food and beverage processors partner with newcomer organizations

Brampton, Ont. – Ontario food and beverage processors have teamed up with representatives from economic development, academic and newcomer employment support services organizations to discuss how to make it easier for new Canadians to find jobs in the industry.

The first workshop, held Jan. 16 in Brampton, Ont., is part of Taste Your Future, an awareness campaign led by Food and Beverage Ontario to encourage more new Canadians, young people and recent graduates to consider jobs and careers in food and beverage processing, the organization said in a news release, adding that the industry is seeking to create 60,000 new jobs by 2020.

Workshop participants discussed ways to overcome barriers facing new Canadians including how to raise awareness about opportunities in the sector, training, language and certification requirements.

“Food and beverage processors provide numerous job and career opportunities for new Canadians across the province,” said Norm Beal, chief executive officer of Food and Beverage Ontario. “Too many of these companies struggle to fill job openings with skilled employees. We want to ensure all job seekers, including new Canadians, know about these opportunities and think of food and beverage processing when looking for a place to work.”

“From employment supports to online courses in food safety that newcomers can complete before they arrive in Canada, the processing industry is making it easier than ever before for new Canadians to choose a career in food and beverage processing,” said Jennefer Griffith, executive director of the Food Processing Human Resources Council. “Workshops like this that bring industry and service organizations together go a long way to kickstarting collaboration and ensuring people know about these services and how to access them.”

There are more than 3,800 food and beverage processing businesses offering a wide range of career options including food scientist, butcher, marketer, accountant and engineer, the release said.

Food and Beverage Ontario is linked to a new national organization representing food and beverage manufacturers in Canada. Food and Beverage Canada will work with governments to effectively shape public policy and industry actions for the benefit of Canadians, the organization said in a release.

The organization is an association of seven regional food and beverage manufacturing associations from coast to coast plus leading industry and stakeholder members. It is committed to collaborative relationships and constructive communications with federal and provincial governments. 

For more information about the partnership, visit www.foodandbeverageontario.ca.