SWPP+ Information Session – Employer Webinar on Hiring Students & Accessing up to $7,000 in funding

Join Food Processing Skills Canada for an upcoming webinar on hiring college and university students and accessing funding with the Student Work Placement Program (SWPP+). This program makes it easy for Canadian food and beverage businesses to hire students from preferred post-secondary programs with specific skills, for one or multiple terms, and receive up to $7,000 per student, per term.

Food Processing Skills Canada’s Executive Director Jennifer Griffith, Camille Paultre, SWPP+ Program Manager, and an academic representative will be hosting this information webinar on April 14^th from 1:00 – 2:00 pm EST.

Webinar Highlights

• Introduction of SWPP+ to food and beverage employers and how funding can be applied to student hires.
• Insights on the application process including employer eligibility.
• Guidance on leveraging the program for current and future workforce development and special project support.

Have questions? Contact the SWPP+ team at info@swpp-fpsc.com or visit https://swpp-fpsc.com.

Speakers:

Moderator – Jennefer Griffith – Executive Director – FPSC

Jennefer Griffith is a driving force in Canada’s food and beverage manufacturing industry, recognized for her visionary leadership in workforce development. As Executive Director of Food Processing Skills Canada, she has spearheaded transformative initiatives like the Canadian Food Processors Institute, Skills Training Across Canada, FoodCert, and FoodAbility, empowering businesses, individuals, and educators with essential resources.

Jennefer’s commitment to delivering comprehensive labour market analysis and tailored programs to food and beverage manufacturers has elevated Canada’s reputation as a global powerhouse in workforce development. Under her leadership, the industry achieved a significant milestone with the creation of Canada’s inaugural Learning and Recognition Framework and Accreditation Strategy standardizing career pathways. Committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace. Jennefer is passionate about supporting New Canadians, Indigenous Peoples, women, and youth in securing fulfilling careers. She is also at the forefront of international development, sharing Canada’s expertise with emerging food and beverage sectors worldwide. With a proven track record in past roles within government and the non-profit sector, Jennefer’s expertise and passion have made a significant impact on the growth and success of the Canadian food and beverage industry.

SWPP+ Program Manager – CAMILLE PAULTRE – FPSC

Camille Paultre is the Program Manager for Food Processing Skills Canada’s SWPP+. Camille joined the organization in 2019 and is recognized as a dynamic professional, coordinating grant funding, and delivering national programs. Camille is particularly adept at leading strategic partnerships and is well-known for her ability to facilitate relationships with Employers and Associations within the Food and Beverage Industry, and Post-Secondary Institutions.  Camille’s desire to see industry growth has perfectly aligned with her role in facilitating successful employer-student relationships and supporting businesses in securing not only funding, but the right talent for their workforce.

Post-Secondary Institution Representative – ALYSSA KURON

Alyssa Kuron (she/her) is a Business Developer and Industry Strategist with the University of Waterloo Co-operative and Experiential Education department, where she collaborates with industry associations across Canada to drive awareness of the incredible value of hiring Waterloo co-op students among potential new employers. Alyssa has over 15 years of public and private sector experience. Since 2018, she has worked at the intersection of industry and academia to help companies engage with Waterloo’s talent and innovation ecosystem. As a proud alumna of the University of Waterloo, Alyssa is passionate about enhancing the student experience by contributing to meaningful work-integrated learning opportunities.

Employer Participant with SWPP+ – SAMANTHA STURGES

Samantha Sturges is the Talent Acquisition, Campus Manager at FGF Brands, a food manufacturing company known as the “IT Company that bakes!” As Campus Manager, she is dedicated to providing an invaluable learning experience for students that join the organization. A passion for co-op and internship positions has run deep as she was a co-op student when in school. The value and knowledge gained from these experiences is unmatched and something that she is truly grateful for. Samantha began her career in law, as a licensed paralegal and while this role was rewarding and challenging, she knew it was not a lifelong passion. So, she pursued further studies in Human Resources, something she always was interested in and later found herself at FGF Brands, leading their student placement program. The program has grown to three times its size since she started and is continuing to expand, now serving all North America. Samantha is excited to see where the program continues to go and what FGF is capable of!