NEW PROGRAMS WILL HELP ADDRESS
CANADA’S FOOD PROCESSING LABOUR SHORTAGE
Collaboration will help increase the agrifood sector’s capacity and its long-term growth by equipping students with skills needed in food science and chemical technology Canada’s food processing sector is one of the country’s largest and most “The innovative plant protein industry is experiencing marked growth at important manufacturing industries, contributing more than $103.4 the same time as we are facing a significant shortage of skilled labour. billion in shipping product each year and two per cent in national GDP, This collaboration between industry and an educational institution to according to Food Processing Skills Canada. As Canada’s plant-based create programs that fully meet the needs of the workplace is a win-win food and ingredient sector grows, so does the demand for skilled labour. solution for both students and agri-food companies,” said the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. In May, Protein Industries Canada joined Assiniboine to announce their co-investment to help ensure this fast-growing sector has the talent To create the curriculum for both programs, the college will work with needed to support its future growth. The college will collabroate with Roquette, which operates the world's largest pea protein plant in Portage Protein Industries Canada and Roquette to develop and deliver Chemical la Prairie, Manitoba, as well as consult other organizations in Canada’s Engineering Technology Diploma and Food Science Diploma programs plant-based food and ingredient ecosystem. This engagement will idento domestic and international prospective students in Canada. These tify the technical and employment skills needed from industry, which will are the first programs of their kind in Manitoba, with the Food Science also help students create connections with potential future employers. Diploma being the first in the Prairies. The goal of these new programs Providing students the training, skills and talent needed for careers in is to ensure an adequate workforce for the evolving plant-protein pro- the food processing sector will expand the ecosystem’s capacity and cessing and food and beverage manufacturing sectors. create more jobs, from which companies of all sizes across the agrifood value chain can benefit. “With support from Protein Industries Canada, Assiniboine Community College and Roquette Canada, the Government of Canada is helping “As a growing sector that promises to be a driver of Canada’s economy, and to address the labour shortage faced by the plant-based food and in- an industry that will require an additional 17,000 new employees by 2035, gredients sector. This project will help energize this critical industry by it is critical that we develop programs to help build a skilled workforce providing training and skills development to address challenges in plant to meet the needs of our industry partners,” CEO of Protein Industries protein processing and other food and beverage manufacturing across Canada Bill Greuel said. “The Chemical Engineering Technology Diploma Canada,” said the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister and Food Science Diploma programs from Assiniboine Community of Innovation, Science and Industry. College and Roquette can create a diverse talent source for Canada’s 10
