34%
Approximately one-third (34%) of Canada’s other food processors reported not being able to fill positions or chronic recruitment challenges.
41% of other food processors reported an increase in recruitment challenges over the past year, with 18% indicating a significant increase.
53%
The most prominent HR challenge identified in the sector is applicants with too high compensation expectations, viewed as at least somewhat of a challenge by 53% of respondents.
Two-thirds of other food processors cite production related positions as the most difficult to recruit for, while kitchen and administrative roles were identified as the most difficult to recruit for by nearly a quarter (23%) of processors.
The average hourly starting wage for entry level front-line workers is
$15.96
$18,455*
The average hourly starting wage for entry level front-line workers is
*per annum
126 Other Food processors responded to this survey and participated either online or by telephone between February and May 2020. The extended time in field was due to COVID –19 pandemic. It wasn’t possible to ask as many questions in the phone version of the survey as opposed to the online version. As such the number of respondents is indicated by N for every chart and ranges from 22 to 100 depending on the question.
Who we surveyed:
N= 126 Othe Food processing employers surveyed
| Region | Survey Responses |
| BC | 21 |
| AB | 15 |
| SK/MB | 9 |
| ON | 28 |
| QC | 47 |
| Atlantic Canada | 5 |
| Not Specified | 1 |
| TOTAL | 126 |
The majority of the questions in this report were asked to food and beverage processors across the country, there were 740 responses in total to the survey. The findings of the overall survey are available on the FPSC website (https://fpsc-ctac.com/reports/) in the report titled:
2020 Labour Market Information Survey Report – Canadian Food & Beverage Manufacturing Industry Report.
126 Other Food processors responded to this survey and participated either online or by telephone between February and May 2020. The extended time in field was due to COVID –19 pandemic. It wasn’t possible to ask as many questions in the phone version of the survey as opposed to the online version. As such the number of respondents is indicated by N for every chart and ranges from 22 to 100 depending on the question.
Who we surveyed:
N= 126 Othe Food processing employers surveyed
| Region | Survey Responses |
| BC | 21 |
| AB | 15 |
| SK/MB | 9 |
| ON | 28 |
| QC | 47 |
| Atlantic Canada | 5 |
| Not Specified | 1 |
| TOTAL | 126 |
Other Food processors mainly operate small to medium size facilities:
* Includes both filled and vacant positions
Size of Processing Facilities, Paid Positions*
Question: On average, in 2019 how many paid positions were…?
Average Paid Positions, Share (%)
| Occupation | Average # of People Employed |
|---|---|
| Warehouse worker | 150 |
| Sanitation | 52 |
| Production | 32.7 |
| Shipping/receiving clerk | 16.6 |
| Packing clerk | 15 |
| Entry Level General laborers | 13 |
| Front desk clerk | 12 |
| Certified Bakers (With Cert of Qualification) | 10 |
| Chefs /Cooks | 8.3 |
| Retail Salespersons | 8 |
| Maintenance worker | 7 |
| Supply chain/logistics | 5.8 |
| Supervisor/team leader | 5.5 |
| Marketing | 5.5 |
| Food science | 5 |
| Kitchen helper | 5 |
| Skilled/Semi-skilled Process control and machine operators | 3.8 |
| Cake decorator | 3 |
| Pastry chef | 3 |
| Quality Control and Assurance | 1.9 |
| Delivery drivers | 1.5 |
| Management, Finance and Administration | 1.3 |
| Production/operations manager | 1.2 |
| Other | 10.6 |
Most processors require higher education for quality assurance; supply chain; production manager; food science; management, finance and administration; marketing; recruiter; and retail sales.
| High School Diploma | College Diploma / Trade School | University Undergraduate Degree | University Post Degree | Experience/past training in field | Certificate of Qualification – skilled trades | Other | None | Not Applicable | Don’t Know | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warehouse worker | 100% | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Cake decorator | 100% | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Kitchen helper | 100% | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Front desk clerk | 100% | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Packing clerk | 67% | – | – | – | – | – | – | 33% | – | – |
| Shipping/receiving clerk | 60% | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 40% | – |
| Production | 56% | 11% | 6% | – | – | – | 17% | 6% | 6% | – |
| Skilled/Semi-skilled Process control and machine operators | 50% | 21% | – | – | 14% | 7% | 7% | – | – | – |
| Entry Level General laborers | 50% | – | 17% | – | – | – | 17% | 17% | – | – |
| Delivery drivers | 50% | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 50% | – |
| Sanitation | 50% | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 50% |
| Chefs / Cooks | 40% | 40% | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 20% |
| Certified Bakers (With Cert of Qualification) | 33% | 67% | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Supervisor/ team leader | 29% | 29% | 29% | – | 14% | – | – | – | – | – |
| Quality Control and Assurance | – | 17% | 58% | 17% | – | 8% | – | – | – | – |
| Maintenance worker | – | 75% | – | – | – | – | 25% | – | – | – |
| Supply chain/ logistics | – | 40% | 60% | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Production/ operations manager | – | 40% | 60% | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Food science | – | – | 100% | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
Approximately one-third (34%) of Canada’s Other Food processors reported not being able to fill positions or chronic recruitment challenges.
17%
Experiencing immediate and persistent challenges throughout the year recruiting and retaining qualified workers and cannot fill vacant positions
17%
Experiencing ongoing challenges recruiting or retaining qualified workers to successfully fill positions
29%
Experiencing occasional or seasonal challenges recruiting or retaining qualified workers. Cannot fill vacancies during peak periods
33%
Experiencing no significant challenges in recruiting or retaining qualified workers
4%
Don’t Know
41% of Other Food processors reported an increase in recruitment challenges over the past year, with 18% indicating a significant increase.
Most Other Food processors (60%) report having a dedicated human resources staff or department.
96%
Extended health or drug plan
74%
Paid days or sick / family leave
44%
RRSP matching
36%
Pension plan
30%
Tuition reimbursement
10%
Other
4%
Workplace parks
4%
Bonus
4%
Free products / discount
Impact of COVID-19
Decline in number of workers available
45%
Decline in availability of raw materials or supplies
29%
Decline in orders from customers
63%
Closure due to health concerns
8%
Decline in cash flow
53%
Action Taken
Increased outsourcing
5%
Allowed employees to work from home
23%
Reduced workers’ hours
39%
Laid-off workers
42%
