The Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC) and its partners the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) and Food and Beverage Canada (FBC-ABC) are sharing the interim report on an industry-led National Workforce Strategic Framework for Agriculture and Food & Beverage Manufacturing.

Started in 2021 with funding from the Government of Canada’s Future Skills Centre, the National Workforce Strategic Framework will set out a comprehensive plan for Canada’s agriculture and food and beverage manufacturing sectors to achieve workforce stability by 2030.

To date, more than 100 stakeholders have actively participated in this initiative, including primary producers, food and beverage manufacturers, educational institutions, producer groups, industry associations, and government officials. Together, they are undertaking work around five key themes:

-  Perception and Awareness of Industry and Careers

-  People and Workplace Culture

-  Immigration and Foreign Workers

-  Skill Development

-  Automation and Technology

"In light of the chronic labour shortages that have constrained Canadian agriculture for years, with those pressures only expected to increase, a systemic and strategic response to the workforce challenges throughout the value chain is critical,” said Mary Robinson, president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture. “This innovative, stakeholder-led approach will be instrumental if we are to realize the sector’s full potential as a global leader in the supply of sustainable, quality agriculture and food products”.

Source:  Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council December 6, 2022 news release