Talent Attraction – A New Playbook for Industry

Talent attraction is a top priority for industry if businesses are going to grow. The next generation of skilled young people will fill exciting new jobs and replace retiring individuals. Food and Beverage Ontario’s labour market research in 2019 has identified that half of all the employees in the sector are 45 years and older and thinking about or preparing to retire. Within that segment approximately 20% are between 55 -64 and ready for retirement.

When we think about talent attraction we have to first consider the available talent pool and the level of knowledge about food and beverage careers within that talent pool. 2018 perceptions research by Food and Beverage Ontario for Taste Your Future demonstrated that raising the profile of the industry and strengthening its reputation as an employer of choice is key. When compared to initial analysis completed in 2015, the research found a positive shift in perceptions with youth on working conditions, pay and benefits, opportunities for promotion, and quality of jobs. However, the same young people continue to confound or associate the food and beverage manufacturing sector with the restaurant industry.

Food Processing Skills Council’s own national perceptions research on prospective employees targeted four population segments that are facing labour market challenges – youth, Indigenous people, recent immigrants and individuals unemployed or having been unemployed at least twice in the last five years. Results revealed that those in the targeted segments were more interested in taking a job in food and beverage processing compared to the average Canadian resident.

Industry research and analysis is important to informing the development of program and policy solutions. This sector of the economy makes significant contributions to GDP, provides rewarding jobs and nourishes people around the globe.