Food Processing Skills Canada launches program to help workers towards a leadership position
by CM Staff
The new Skills Training Across Canada program has been designed to not only recognize people in supervisor positions but support the development of young and developing talent.
New skills program for the Canadian food and beverage industry delivers training in leadership, emotional intelligence, and diversity, equity and inclusion (CNW Group/Food Processing Skills Canada)
OTTAWA — On Jul. 18, Food Processing Skills Canada launched Skills Training Across Canada (STAC) — a new program 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 which received an investment of $7.7 million from the Government of Canada’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% of those individuals are men. The new Skills Training Across Canada program has been designed to not only recognize people in supervisor positions but support the development of young and developing talent.
Program highlights include:
- 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.
- Access to HR Workshops & 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.
“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 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 Ltd.
