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In their own words…

I worked my way up from a line worker to a supervisor. It’s part of my job to remind my team that they have every opportunity to do the same. ”

Julie, Afternoon Supervisor at Grand River Foods.

Food processing is the second largest economic engine in Ontario…it offers stable and reliable employment. It doesn’t boom and bust.”

Craig Richardson, President of Grand River Foods

I am proud to work in an industry where I get to work with many different people who are passionate about what they do. Our work feeds the province, the country and more and more, the world.”

Jane Graham, Executive Director of the Alliance of Ontario Food Processors.

The Food and Beverage industry is so important to the continued wealth of Ontario; anything that improves this sector will help the province.”

Kim Turnbull, Chair of the Agricultural Adaptation Council

From product developers to marketers to operators of the newest and cutting edge technologies, the food and beverage processing industry has a variety of flexible and interesting careers that you might not have even known about!”

Rob Anderson, V.P. Operations, Bonduelle North America.

Start a career

Four out of five CEOs in Ontario's food and beverage processing industry say finding skilled labour is their number one issue.

Employees who develop specialized skills have more opportunities for better-paying work with more responsibility.

By looking for a career in the food and beverage processing industry, you're making a choice to get into a stable, dynamic and important industry. 

The food and beverage processing industry provides career pathways from  apprenticeship training, college, university or directly to the workplace.  

Apprenticeship: There is a new apprenticeship specific to the food and beverage processing industry - Process Operator: Food Manufacturing.  This trade focuses on food safety and security, environmental management, electrical and instrumentation, mechanical, communication and computer skills and continuous quality improvement. Process Operator: Food Manufacturing apprentices are employed by food and beverage processing companies.  

College:

in September 2011,  Conestoga College will open the Institute of Food Processing Technology (IFPT), which will offer programs in food safety, food manufacturing techniques, maintenance mechanic, electrical technician, as well as robotics, automation, packaging and plant supervision.

Durham College and Loyalist Colleges also offer trainig in food processing.


University:

The University of Guelph offers programs for students in the areas of food processing, food safety and food science.  


School to Work:

There are still many opportunities for students to directly enter the food and beverage processing industry from secondary school and work as general labourers and machine operators. Simply identify a food or beverage processor in your area and