Canada's food and agriculture sector is taking an important step toward building a stronger workforce. Protein Industries Canada has partnered with industry and academic organizations to create a new skills training program aimed at supporting the food production and value-added agriculture sector.
The initiative is designed to help address the growing demand for skilled workers as the industry expands. Canada continues to explore new opportunities to increase the value of its agricultural products, creating potential for economic growth and thousands of new jobs. To support this growth, the new program will prepare workers with the knowledge and practical skills needed by modern food businesses.
“A strong and resilient agri-food sector depends on a highly skilled workforce,” said Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions.
She continued, “Through the support of Protein Industries Canada, one of Canada’s Global Innovation Clusters, this project will help small and medium-sized businesses access critical training and skills development opportunities, empowering workers and supporting long-term industry growth. By investing in Canadian talent and innovation, we are strengthening the competitiveness of our agri-food sector and ensuring Canadians continue to benefit from a sustainable, dynamic, and future-ready food economy.”
The training program will be available to small and medium-sized businesses across Canada. It will combine classroom learning, technical training, and industry mentorship to provide participants with real-world experience. Organizers say the program will help close existing skills gaps while reducing the need for companies to rely on outside expertise.
Students, professionals, and individuals looking to enter the food industry will benefit from access to specialized education and valuable industry networks. The program is expected to improve career opportunities while helping businesses develop innovative products and compete in new markets.
“Canada has plenty of potential to make more from what we grow, providing families across the country with more made-in-Canada food options, but part of reaching that potential is ensuring the sector is supported by a strong workforce,” said Protein Industries Canada CEO Tyler Groeneveld. “By addressing the current skills gap, this training program will help new workers better transition into the sector, strengthening not just their companies’ growth opportunities, but also Canada’s opportunity in the global market.”
“Building a resilient and innovative food sector depends on developing the talent needed to meet challenges and opportunities across the value-chain,” said Dr. David Kitts, Dean pro tem, UBC Faculty of Land and Food Systems (LFS).
He continued, “LFS supports the food system from farm to fork, connecting growers, processors and consumers through interdisciplinary teaching, research and innovation. Through this collaboration, we are helping equip current and future professionals with the knowledge, technical skills and industry connections needed to strengthen Canada’s food production and value-added agriculture sector.”
Industry leaders believe collaboration is key to the project's success. By bringing together expertise from the food manufacturing, research, and innovation sectors, the program aims to create a more efficient and coordinated approach to workforce development. Participants will gain practical skills in product development, food processing, packaging, testing, and commercialization.
The training will follow a flexible blended-learning model and can be completed over a period of four to twelve weeks. This approach is intended to make the program accessible to both students and working professionals.
“Food innovation does not move forward on good ideas alone. Canada has incredible crops, ingredients, research capacity and food companies, but products still need to be formulated, processed, packaged, tested, scaled and brought to market. CFL works in that practical middle between idea and launch, where technical decisions can make or break a product,” said Joel Gfeller, President of Cultivated Food Labs.
He added, “We are grateful to bring that problem-solving perspective to this project alongside BCFB and UBC, and to help more people across Canada build the applied skills our food sector needs.”
A total investment of $1 million has been committed to the project, with significant support provided by Protein Industries Canada and its partners. The initiative is part of a broader effort to strengthen domestic innovation, create employment opportunities, and support long-term growth in Canada's food and ingredient sector.