CareersNOW! receives $1.4M from Ontario government to help fill job vacancies in food and beverage sector

TORONTO — CareersNOW! announces that it has received additional funding of $1,406,900 from the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development.

CareersNOW! was designed by Food and Beverage Ontario to connect jobseekers and students with employers in Ontario’s food and beverage processing sector. According to CareersNOW!, this growing industry is the number one manufacturing sector employer in Ontario offering a variety of jobs and career pathways, but past challenges with talent attraction, recruitment, and retention have been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Engaging with new individuals to join Ontario’s food and beverage manufacturing industry’s workforce is the top priority for Food and Beverage Ontario.

“People employed by Ontario’s 4,000 processor businesses are at the centre of this incredible sector that purchases over 60% of Ontario farm products, is the number one manufacturing sector employer, and prepares food and beverage for grocery retail and foodservice in Canada and across the globe,” said Chris Conway, CEO, Food and Beverage Ontario. “We thank the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development for valuing this industry and the potential for workforce growth, as much as we do.”

“Across our province, food and beverage manufacturers are struggling to find the workers they need to keep up with growing demand,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development. “The CareersNOW! program will connect young people and job seekers with local employers and hands-on training so they can begin rewarding careers close to home.”

CareersNOW! is showcasing the industry and career opportunities with jobseekers and students, in addition to delivering on activities that make introductions and facilitate successful connections between jobseekers looking for immediate employment and students planning their professional future.

• Job Ready Skills Training in partnership with Food Processing Skills Canada is providing 14 e-courses in essential skills training and social-emotional learning for jobseekers and new hires to ensure a successful career start.
• Virtual Job Fairs are creating the ideal space for jobseekers and employers to meet online and discuss immediate and future job openings.
• CareersNOW! Employer platform is making it easy for businesses to post jobs and hire college and university students for wage subsidized work terms.
• Mentorship Sessions are introducing students and jobseekers to industry professionals for sharing of career advice and discussions on the variety of career pathways.
• Career coaching for jobseekers and HR training for small to medium-sized Ontario businesses is supporting successful new employment and a positive workplace culture.
• A new partnership with the Ontario Native Education Counselling Association will facilitate introductions between Indigenous youth and industry career opportunities.
• Collaboration with Meat & Poultry Ontario will target workforce strategies in this subsector where the biggest employment gap is occurring.