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Supporting Ontario's Food and Beverage Manufacturing Industry

Program Goals

Elevate is a dynamic, demand-driven training model that addresses Ontario’s skills gap. Developed by PTP (Pathways to Possibilities), Elevate is an innovative, managed workforce development program that achieved excellent outcomes for both employers and participants. The program equips low-skilled individuals with the necessary training to secure in-demand jobs, aligning with employer needs and the demands of local labor markets. This ensures participants acquire essential skills for sustainable careers while also enhancing economic stability by increasing employment opportunities and improving job retention. The program supports employers by addressing their recruitment and retention challenges, offering a clear pathway to employment, and emphasizing long-term success through job retention and career advancement.

Setting the Stage

In collaboration with various community service providers, Essential Skills Ontario created Elevate: Raising the Grade in Food Processing to bridge the gap between vulnerable adults seeking employment and the food processing industry’s need for workers. The program is based on New York City’s Center for Economic Opportunity’s WorkAdvance model, which combines intensive employment services with sector-focused skills training.

The pilot program involved two phases: analyzing the job task requirements for entry-level occupations in the food processing sector and visiting food processing facilities to understand the skills needed for each position. PTP Adult Learning and Employment Programs were selected to pilot the initiative. Having been involved in the pilot, the program has since evolved, becoming a valuable tool for helping adults enter the labor market and secure entry-level jobs.

Features of the Sector-Based Approach

Participants undergo intensive screening to assess their suitability for the program, including their interest in entry-level roles within the food and beverage sector. They are evaluated on literacy components, including reading, writing, document use, and communication skills, while additional support needs are identified during the screening process.

The Elevate team provides comprehensive job search support, assisting with resume creation, interview preparation, and overall job readiness. Ongoing coaching and mentorship are offered to help participants retain their new jobs and advance in their careers. This commitment to long-term support is a cornerstone of the program's success.

Target Audience

The program targets adults seeking entry-level positions in the food and beverage manufacturing industry, including unemployed individuals, newcomers to Canada, and low-skilled workers

Program Model

Developed in collaboration with employer partners, the curriculum covers job-specific skills, the Skills for Success framework, employability, and life skills, preparing participants for entry-level food and beverage manufacturing positions.

Training Components

The training program integrates workplace essential, soft, and technical skills for success on the production floor. It is a hands-on, experiential curriculum for adult learners, blending soft skills with technical skills and the Skills for Success framework. Using a cohort-based delivery model, the program offers hands-on training, work experience, and ongoing coaching or mentoring to build work-specific skills and confidence in participants. The training incorporates an employer-tailored curriculum through Alchemy System’s platform.

Industry Collaboration

Elevate works closely with Ontario’s food and beverage manufacturing industry to address labor shortages and evolving skill needs. The program uses a demand-driven, client-focused training model to ensure the skills taught align with industry requirements.

Fundamental Components

Key components of the program are designed to achieve measurable outcomes, including participant skill gains, increased employment rates, and improved access to skilled labor for employers.

Insights Learned

This training, funded by the City of Toronto and the Federal government, is efficient and most effective when it aligns with employer needs and delivers the in-demand skills required by the industry.

Key Outcomes

Key outcomes of the Elevate: Raising the Grade program include:

1. Skill Development: Participants gain essential, technical, and soft skills needed for entry-level roles in the food and beverage manufacturing industry, making them more employable.
2. Increased Employment Rates: The program helps low-skilled individuals, newcomers, and unemployed adults secure in-demand jobs, directly contributing to higher employment rates.
3. Job Retention and Career Advancement: Through ongoing mentorship and coaching, participants are supported not only in securing jobs but also in retaining them and advancing in their careers.
4. Employer Benefits: Employers benefit from a workforce that is trained specifically to meet the industry’s skill requirements, reducing recruitment and retention challenges.
5. Economic Stability: By helping individuals obtain sustainable careers, the program contributes to greater economic stability for both workers and employers, fostering long-term employment.
6. Alignment with Industry Needs: The program ensures that training is aligned with the evolving skill demands of the food and beverage manufacturing sector, creating a mutually beneficial relationship between participants and employers.‍
7. Participant Confidence: Hands-on training and work experience build participants’ confidence in their abilities, making them more likely to succeed in their roles.

Shahina Suleman was an integral part of the PTP team in the design and delivery of the Elevate program.