The FPSC Skilled Trades in Food and Beverage Processing Report highlights the growing demand for skilled trades, revealing critical labour shortages, recruitment challenges, and the increasing role of automation in shaping the industry’s future.
This brief report focuses on the “non-food/beverage specific skilled trades” (e.g., electrician, millwright, etc.) which are in demand across multiple industrial sectors, including the Canadian food and beverage processing industry. Within the industry there are also various food and beverage specific trades that are key to the industry such as bakers and chefs, but these tend to have different patterns of demand and supply and have been addressed in detail within the various FPSC LMI reports to date. The supply and demand for non-food/beverage specific skilled trades are areas of growing concern for the industry given the challenges encountered in attracting and retaining these skilled workers, the competition from many different sectors for the limited supply, and the crucial role they play in the manufacturing process for many food and beverage processing companies.
Skilled trades shortages are a growing challenge, with high demand for millwrights, electricians, and transport truck drivers, despite competitive wages.
Small and rural food processors struggle to attract tradespeople, often relying on contractors instead of full-time hires due to location and cost constraints.
Automation and Industry 4.0 are reshaping the workforce, increasing the need for highly skilled technicians while reducing overall labour demand.
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