New FPSC program empowers emerging food industry leaders

Food Processing Skills Canada launches the Skills Training Across Canada (STAC) program, which is designed for people in supervisor roles or individuals on a path towards a leadership position.

Skills Training Across Canada is part of Achieving Our Workforce Destination project that received an investment of $7.7 million from the federal government’s Sectoral Workplace Solutions Program earlier this year.

The Canadian food and beverage manufacturing industry employs 300,000 people in 13,000 businesses across the country. Within the total workforce approximately 15,000 individuals are in supervisory positions and over 66 per cent of those individuals are men. The new Skills Training Across Canada program has been designed to not only recognize people in supervisor positions, but also support the development of young and developing talent. This program is an important part of building the industry’s reputation as a top employer for all people.

Program highlights are:

• 39 online courses in leadership, emotional intelligence, equity, diversity and inclusion, and food safety;
• access to a learning management system with employer and employee dashboards to track progress and simplify program participation;
• pathway for employees to access another program at no cost to become a Canadian Certified Food Production Supervisor;
• employee participant coaching, Chromebooks, completion bonuses, babysitting subsidy and graduation packages;
• one-to-one technical and expert support, and onboarding resources;
• employee access to block chain verified digital credentials that can be kept in a digital wallet; and
• access to HR workshops and mentorship for participating employees.

“An important part of the new training curriculum is the addition of Food Processing Skills Canada’s Acahkos, a unique approach to social emotional learning. We have combined online training with team-based, interactive learning to assist individuals with interpersonal relations, adaptability, empathy and resilience for navigating a variety of situations and ensuring a welcoming and productive workplace. To complement Acahkos, we have also added five exciting new courses in equity, diversity and inclusion,” said Jennefer Griffith, executive director, Food Processing Skills Canada.

With Skills Training Across Canada, employers can support their employees in earning block-chain verified certificates and digital credentials in 39 courses. On completion of the program, employees also receive one micro-credential and have the opportunity to participate in an additional program at no cost to become a Certified Food Production Supervisor.

“In 2022, Shediac Lobster Shop participated in a pilot program that served as the basis for the new Skills Training Across Canada. The experience for our company employees boosted not only skills, but also morale and team spirit. We continue to rely on the leadership and emotional intelligence training we received to become a workforce we are truly proud of,” said Lana Maillet, HR manager, Shediac Lobster Shop.