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| | Agri-Food industry workforce benchmarking study results | COBRA financial management workshop | Food security/defence courses – I, II & III | Spring food safety workshops | Agricultural processing industry employment program
Agri-Food Industry Workforce Benchmarking Study Results
A survey conducted in the fall of 2007 gives a snapshot of the current labour situation among the 126 food processing plants that participated in the survey.
Key Findings:
- Current vacancy rate – 15%.
- 67% of food processing plants had vacancies.
- 48% had positions that had been vacant for over four months.
- 3000 positions are estimated to be vacant in Alberta food processing plants, and of these, over 2100 had been vacant for over four months.
- Turnover rate (median) – 33%.
- Worker productivity – value of shipments per hour worked ranged from $36 to $543 per hour worked with a median of $179 per hour worked.
To read more about the study, the impacts of the labour shortage and approaches companies go to www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/afi12051
Alberta Agriculture and Food already has a number of initiatives underway as part of a workforce strategy for Alberta’s primary agriculture production and agri-processing industries. Funding assistance is available under the Workforce Development Program.
For assistance related to workforce issues contact Karen Gingras, Labour Retention Manager at 780-980-4220 or by email at karen.gingras@gov.ab.ca OR Scott Dundas, Labour Recruitment Manager at 403-556-3234 or by email at scott.dundas@gov.ab.ca
COBRA Financial Management Workshop
Join Ron Lyons of Alberta Agriculture and Food April 8-9, 2008 at the AFPA office in Calgary AB for a hands-on COBRA workshop designed to provide company management teams with in-depth understanding of financial management principles and how they apply in the businesses financial forecasting and risk assessment environment. Several key financial principles will be demonstrated through an interactive exercise with the COBRA financial analysis and forecasting model. Registration deadline: March 31st. For more details or to register, contact Melody Pashko at 403-201-3657 Ext. 21 or by email at melody@afpa.com OR Ron Lyons at 780-980-4363 or by email at ron.lyons@gov.ab.ca
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Food Security/Defence Courses – I, II & III
Larry Wallace, Senior Food Defence Specialist from the Guelph Food Technology Centre is instructing this series of courses from April 21-23, 2008 in Calgary. Food defence is an integral part of all food safety audits and these courses may help you to save your company from costly and agonizing recalls and lawsuits. The following three courses are offered over the 2½ days are:
Food Security/Defence III: Role and Responsibilities of a Food Defence Coordinator
Food Security/Defence II: Development of your Food Defence Policies & Procedures
Food Security/Defence I: Passing the Food Security Section of Your Food Safety Audit
Contact AFPA at 403-201-3657 x25 or by email safety@afpa.com
Spring Food Safety Workshops
- HACCP IV: Validation and Verification of Your HACCP Plan - Calgary – April 1-2, 2008
- HACCP V: Effective Auditing of Your HACCP Plan - Calgary – April 3-4, 2008
- HACCP I: Documenting Your Prerequisite Program - Edmonton – April 14-15, 2008
- HACCP II: Development of Your HACCP Plan - Edmonton – April 16-18, 2008
- Managing Allergen Issues - Edmonton – May 28-29, 2008
Course and registration details are available on-line at www.afpa.com/snq/train.shtml
Agricultural Processing Industry Employment Program
The Agricultural Processing Industry Employment Program provides opportunities for career related experience and skill training for students employed in Alberta's agri-processing industry. Employees and employers must apply together for the program; Alberta Agriculture and Food does not do any matching. Employers must be processors who are adding value to a raw agricultural product; employees must be post-secondary students and must not be related to the employer. Processors who hire a student for the summer will be reimbursed for one-third of the employee's salary up to $500 per month. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. The application deadline is April 18, 2008. The program runs from May 1 to August 31.
Application packages or further information can be obtained by calling the Ag-Info Centre at 310-FARM or by request from betty.birch@gov.ab.ca
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Need to speak to an agri-processing specialist?
Processed Foods Branch - 780-427-7325
Livestock Products Branch -403-340-5322
Business Commercialization Branch - 780-980-4722
dial 310-0000 for toll-free access.
Your connection to resources for business growth.
Food News is available in pdf format - 161Kb |
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This document is maintained by Joan Bates.
This information published to the web on March 18, 2008.
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