The food and beverage processing industry is a cornerstone of Ontario’s economy. Yet, it has faced significant challenges in attracting job seekers to various skilled positions, particularly in the Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) sectors.
However, Food and Beverage Ontario‘s CareersNOW! program and its predecessor initiative, Taste Your Future, have emerged as vital solutions to this pressing issue, offering a comprehensive approach to workforce development that benefits job seekers and employers.
The Role of CareersNOW!: Drawing Back the Curtain
One of the critical achievements of the CareersNOW! program is how it has helped address the vacancy issue within the industry QA/QC space. This sector is crucial for maintaining high standards and safety of food and beverage products.
CareersNOW! has tackled these vacancies by providing a realistic and appealing glimpse into what working in the industry entails. The food and beverage processing industry was like Ontario’s best-kept secret for a long time. What the program did (and still does) is highlight how fantastic the industry really is.
“What CareersNOW! did was make the industry attractive. It told the story of why the food industry is equally or more attractive than health care, pharma care, auto or any of the other more technical sectors, where the hours of work may be more attractive,” says Doug Alexander, Vice President Sustainability and Government Relations of Belmont Food Group, a Canadian food company consisting of 60 leading specialty food manufacturing and differentiated food distribution businesses with operations across North America.
“CareersNOW! is offsetting that by getting in touch with people’s emotional attraction to food.”
Fueling the Future of Ontario
Everybody needs to eat, and Ontario’s food and beverage processing industry is the backbone of keeping people in the province fed, as well as throughout Canada and beyond.
While the industry does incredible work, it historically hasn’t done the best job telling its own story because it is busy ensuring shelves are stocked. This is where Food and Beverage Ontario saw the opportunity with CareersNOW! to help the industry tell the story not only about the industry’s importance but also about the career opportunities.
“Working in food and beverage processing is like working in a big lab, rather than a small technical lab. It’s like your play space. Once you start to understand how the food facility is designed, you get to see all the possibilities,” says Doug. “That was a big part of the CareersNOW! messaging. ‘Here’s how we work. And look, there’s some pretty cool stuff.’”
A significant factor in the program’s success so far is its ability to show the industry’s behind-the-scenes reality. Jobseekers often lack an understanding of the diverse and dynamic roles available within food and beverage processing. CareersNOW! bridges this gap by offering firsthand experiences and insights, with participants gaining a thorough understanding of the industry’s work environment, the importance of these roles, and the potential for career advancement.
What CareersNOW! Offers Jobseekers
CareersNOW! stands out due to its multifaceted approach to connecting industry employers with jobseekers, including job fairs, Job Ready Skills Training, and mentorship. These offerings expose more Ontario jobseekers to potential careers and provide direct connections with employers.
CareersNOW! Ontario Job Fairs
These events facilitate one-on-one interactions between jobseekers and industry professionals. They offer a platform for candidates to learn about various roles, make a lasting impression on potential employers, and secure a new job.
Job Ready Skills Training:
In partnership with Food Processing Skills Canada, this online training equips participants with the essential skills needed for the food and beverage processing industry. Jobseekers can take one or all the courses in technical skills, emotional intelligence and leadership and will receive a certificate of completion. This offering ensures that job seekers are well-prepared to hit the ground running.
Mentorship Sessions:
Mentorship plays a pivotal role in guiding new entrants into the industry. Experienced professionals offer insights, advice, and support, helping mentees explore different career paths and learn more about food and beverage processing.
What CareersNOW! Offers Employers
Food and Beverage Ontario’s CareersNOW! program benefits jobseekers and provides a wealth of opportunities and resources for employers in the food and beverage processing industry.
By joining CareersNOW!, employers can significantly enhance their recruitment efforts, connect with potential employees, and more:
Connect with Jobseekers and Students
CareersNOW! offers employers direct access to a large pool of jobseekers and students who are interested in pursuing careers in the food and beverage processing industry. Through the program’s virtual job fairs, employers can meet and interact with candidates in real-time, allowing for immediate engagement and relationship-building. This direct connection helps employers to identify and recruit top talent more efficiently.
Learn from Workforce and HR Experts
Participating in CareersNOW! allows employers to tap into the knowledge and expertise of workforce and HR professionals. The program provides opportunities to learn about the latest trends, best practices, and innovative strategies in workforce development. This knowledge can be instrumental in refining recruitment processes, improving employee retention, and fostering a more dynamic and skilled workforce.
Post Jobs on CareersNOW!
CareersNOW! offers a platform where employers can easily post job openings and connect with registered jobseekers and students. Employers that post jobs via the CareersNOW! website benefit from the program’s province-wide, comprehensive marketing campaign that directs thousands of jobseekers to the site.
Training in Partnership with Food Processing Skills Canada
The virtual training offered through CareersNOW! is conducted in partnership with Food Processing Skills Canada. This free, self-paced training which is also available in French, Spanish and Tagalog, is tailored to the unique needs of the food and beverage processing sector and is the perfect offering for new hires.
Broader Impact
Over the last several years, CareersNOW! has helped employers close the gap in vacancies, particularly in QA/QC roles.
Doug says CareersNOW!’s holistic approach to workforce development means its success can be duplicated to address other identified vacancies, ensuring the industry has a steady pipeline of skilled and enthusiastic incoming employees.
“The exact same process can be applied to other areas, such as professions in skilled trades. For instance, let’s help millwrights understand how working in this industry is cool,” he says.
Start at CareersNOW!
Are you ready to connect with qualified jobseekers? Start by creating your free employer account at CareersNOW.ca
