Government, industry partner to support Food Processing Centre

The government of Canada, Province of Manitoba, and a number of industry and labour partners are providing a combined $640,000 to Assiniboine to support a new Food Processing Centre for Animal Proteins (FPC) on campus.

“The growing world demand for protein provides our industry here in Manitoba with tremendous opportunities in new production and processing jobs,” said Eichler. “The new Food Processing Centre for Animal Proteins will ensure that there is a robust stream of qualified individuals to advance our processing industry for years to come, and will keep our province at the leading edge of the protein sector.”

Honourable Ralph Eichler – Minister of Agriculture, Province of Manitoba

The new training facility, located at the college’s Victoria Avenue East campus in Brandon, will have a specialized focus on animal proteins. The first program scheduled to be delivered in the space is an 11-month Food Processing (Animal Proteins) certificate program. That program, which commences next month, will have students learning protein processing and other necessary skills to gain employment within the industry. Future use of the centre lends itself to customized industry training and applied research.

“The Food Processing Centre will allow Assiniboine to be responsive to the workforce development needs of employers, helping us to educate students and prepare them for in-demand jobs within this industry,” said Mark Frison, president of Assiniboine Community College. “We are extremely appreciative of the contributions from industry and government to make this space possible.”

Mark Frison – President, Assiniboine Community College

Other funding partners include Maple Leaf Foods, HyLife, Manitoba Pork, UFCW Local 832, as well as the Brandon Hog and Livestock Show. Combined, $640,000 in funding will contribute to the construction and completion of the facility.

“Maple Leaf is very excited to be part of this opportunity with ACC and to stand with our industry partners to see it come to fruition,” said Morgan Curran-Blaney, vice-president manufacturing – pork, Maple Leaf Foods. “Not only will this program provide a stream of skilled talent into our plant, but more importantly, it highlights meat processing as a viable and sustainable career option for students.”

The announcement today is very exciting for HyLife as we continuously strive to develop the highest quality pork products in the world. This new program will directly help to strengthen our workforce with talent developed in our communities, said Guy Baudry, COO, HyLife. We are eager to team up with ACC’s Food Processing Centre for Animal Proteins program’s graduates to help our company continue to strive to be the best Canadian food company in the world that takes care of its employees, customers, and communities.

George Matheson, Chairman – Manitoba Pork

The new FPC at Assiniboine will address workforce supply shortages in Manitoba’s meat processing industry. In January 2017, the Canadian Agriculture Human Research Council found that rural meat-processing facilities have an employment vacancy rate of over 9.5 per cent. These vacancies restrict processing capacity and affect future growth.

“Unions exist to create opportunities for our members, through bargaining fair deals of course, but also through education and training,” said Bea Bruske, secretary-treasurer of UFCW Local 832. “Investing in the Food Processing Centre makes total sense for us; this new facility will create pathways for current and future UFCW members to acquire skills that will enhance their job and wage opportunities.”

More information about Ag Action Manitoba is available at www.manitoba.ca/agriculture under Canadian Agricultural Partnership, by calling 1-844-769-6224 (toll-free) or emailing agaction@gov.mb.ca. Manitobans can also sign up for a digital newsletter at www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/online-resources/signup-for-growing-manitoba-ag.html or follow Manitoba Agriculture’s Twitter channel at www.twitter.com/MBGovAg for more information about Ag Action Manitoba.

The five-year, $3-billion Canadian Agricultural Partnership includes $2 billion for cost-shared strategic initiatives delivered by the provinces and territories and $1 billion for federal programs and services. For more information, visit www.canada.ca/Agri-Partnership.