Ottawa invests $19.7 million in two projects addressing agriculture sector labour demand
The federal government is spending $19.7 million on two agriculture and agri-food projects that hope to address the sector’s labour woes.
The Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council will receive a $12 million injection for its Growing the Agriculture Workforce of the Future: Cultivating Canada's Post-Pandemic Recovery Project, which provides targeted training programs to 1,175 employers and employees and sets sector-wide standards for recruiting and retention.
Food Processing Skills Canada will get $7.7 million for its Achieving our Workforce Destination: Qualified People, Successful Careers & Competitive Business Project, which will offer training programs to 1,250 Canadians in the food and beverage processing sector.
It will also develop resources, tools and certifications for supervisors and employees to help improve retention in the industry. The project will aim to engage up to 65% of participants from equity-deserving groups.
Funding is being provided under the Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program, which was first announced in budget 2021.
"Ensuring a highly competitive Canadian food and beverage manufacturing industry demands skilled individuals and exceptional workplaces – Achieving Our Workforce Destination will deliver on both. Thank you to the Government of Canada for investing in an industry that offers exciting career and business opportunities for Canadians and recent immigrants,” Jennefer Griffith, executive director, Food Processing Skills Canada, said in a statement.
