Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

Action Plan to Attract Young People to Careers in the Agriculture and Food Sector

REPORT: Planning for Ontario's Future Agri-Food Workforce November 2014

GUELPH, ON, Nov. 11, 2014 /CNW/ - Food and beverage processing businesses, educational institutions and government leaders are supporting development of an action plan to attract young people to careers in the agriculture and food sector, the fastest growing multi-million dollar sector of the province's economy.

The anchor of the action plan is a just released joint report from the Ontario Agricultural College of the University of Guelph and Food and Beverage Ontario (FBO), Planning for Ontario's Future Agri-Food Workforce: A Report on Agriculture and Food and Beverage Processing Training in Ontario Colleges and Universities. The report assessed the employment needs of the agriculture and food industry and found several employment areas experiencing a deficit of qualified individuals, with 59% of employers surveyed for the Food Processing Human Resource Council's 2011 Labour Market Information having trouble finding job candidates with proper training.

The report also found that the supply of graduates from post-secondary school programs is not meeting industry's demand, with Planning for Tomorrow for OAC: Input from Industry, a report from JRG Consulting Group, showing that the agriculture and food industry's demand for new hires straight out of university programs is expected to increase by 10-20% over the next few years.

With the context of industry's employment needs, the report reviewed existing post-secondary school programs and made three major recommendations, including promotion of the agriculture and food industry, increasing capacity and enrolment in post-secondary programs and development and implementation of new food post-secondary programs.

The need to attract the next generation of skilled workers to the agriculture and food industry was discussed extensively at a recent education roundtable of industry, government and post-secondary leaders.

"The roundtable brought together industry, government, colleges and universities from across the province, and this collaboration will help strengthen the future of Ontario's agri-food workforce," said Rob Gordon, Dean of the Ontario Agricultural College of the University of Guelph.

"The education action plan will become a key part of our long term strategy to help the processing industry continue to be the major driver of the province's economy," said FBO Chair Norm Beal. "An investment must be made in reaching the next generation workforce."

FBO's education action plan will drive a promotional campaign of the industry and related post-secondary programs to young people as they decide on their education and career paths, as well as collaboration between industry and academia as programs are developed and enhanced in the future.

Some of the challenges facing the industry include a shrinking workforce pool and misconceptions about the industry and its many diverse career opportunities.

"With the roundtable leaders working together and an action plan developed, there is an opportunity for the industry to grow to 185,000 jobs by 2020, an additional 60,000 over today's numbers, and generate over $70 billion in sales," said FBO Executive Director Steve Peters.

For a copy of the report Planning for Ontario's Future Agri-Food Workforce, please visit foodandbeverageontario.ca

SOURCE Food and Beverage Ontario


Views: 248

Comment

You need to be a member of Ontario Agriculture to add comments!

Join Ontario Agriculture

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

Sask Farmer Say he Knows Why Fertilizer Companies Come Out Ahead When Markets are Disrupted

As fertilizer prices remain volatile, one Saskatchewan farmer argues the system is stacked against producers.

U.S. ethanol industry sets its sights on the world

Canada remains the top export market for U.S. ethanol, purchasing 757 million gallons of the fuel in 2024-25. The country blended the fuel at a 10 per cent level (E10) nationwide last year, with some provinces adopting an E15 mandate. “As they continue to move to E15, they could be our first billion-gallon market,” Ryan LeGrand, president of the U.S. Grains and Bioproducts Council, told delegates attending the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 102nd annual Agricultural Outlook Forum. The United States shipped out a record 2.13 billion gallons of ethanol around the world in 2024-25, up from the 1.75 billion gallons exported the previous year. LeGrand said the goal is to continue expanding exports until the country is fully using its two billion gallons of excess production capacity. There are plenty of promising markets, but Mexico tops the list. The country passed an E10 mandate in 2017, but it was later struck down by the courts due to a technicality. Mexico’s new president, Clau

Secretary Naig, Iowa 4-H, Iowa FFA Announce Statewide Tree Planting Initiative in Honor of America250

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, in collaboration with Iowa 4-H and Iowa FFA, today announced a statewide tree planting initiative in honor of America’s 250th birthday. The youth-driven initiative aims to plant 250 trees across Iowa in 2026, connecting students with the state’s agricultural heritage and a commitment to stewardship and service. The initiative encourages Iowa youth to take an active role in conserving the land that has sustained generations of farmers while celebrating the values that have shaped our nation and our communities. “Planting a tree is a simple act that benefits future generations,” said Secretary Naig. “Through this initiative, Iowa 4-Hers and FFA members have an opportunity to honor our nation’s history while strengthening their communities. I encourage chapters and clubs across the state to join us in celebrating this milestone moment in our nation’s history by planting an official A250 tree in their communities that will live on for generations.

EMILI celebrates women producers during International Year of the Woman Farmer

2026 is International Year of the Woman Farmer, celebrating the essential, and often unrecognized roles that women play across the agrifood system. This International Women’s Day, EMILI is spotlighting six women producers who play an integral role in Canadian agriculture.  Over the past few years, we’ve had the privilege of connecting with several women who play an integral role on farms as part of our This is Agriculture campaign. Read more about each woman below, and follow the links to read their whole story. Jordyn Wiebe Jordyn Wiebe grew up on her family’s farm, J.P. Wiebe Ltd., in MacGregor Manitoba. She spent her childhood working odd jobs to help the farm’s potato operation, and while she initially began her career off the farm, she was drawn back to her roots when she returned to become J.P. Wiebe Ltd.’s bookkeeper and farm and food safety manager. Read Jordyn’s story here. Jill Verwey Jill Verwey lives and breathes agriculture, holding roles as the office manager for Ver

Ontario Veterinary College at U of G Names New Dean  

The University of Guelph is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Julia Montgomery, dean of the? Ontario Veterinary College (OVC).

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service