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
METHODOLOGY AND RESPONSES
How we did it
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.
OTHER FOOD PROCESSORS SURVEY
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
Overview
Industry Profile
Workforce Profile
Workforce Availability and Recruitment
Wages and Benefits
Training and Skills Development
Impact of Covid-19
Who we surveyed
N= 126* Other Food processing employers surveyed
Quebec had the largest concentration of Other Food processors
OTHER FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRY PROFILE
In a Snapshot
The majority of facilities (63%) manufacture other food products that are not specified, while approximately one in six facilities produce snack food (16%) and seasoning and dressing (15%)
The vast majority of facilities (85%) produce products in Canada, while 12% of facilities produce products both domestically and abroad
OTHER FOOD PROCESSING WORKFORCE PROFILE
Employment Size
Other Food processors mainly operate small to medium size facilities:
The “average” processor in Canada has 45 paid positions, including both filled and vacant positions
74% of processors reported fewer than 50 paid positions at their facility
5% of processors reported 200 or more paid positions are their facility
* Includes both filled and vacant positions
Size of Processing Facilities, Paid Positions*
Employment Size
The “average” Other Food processor has 45 paid positions at their facility
On average, more than 90% of paid positions are filled by women
On average, a significantly lower portion are unionized (13%), filled by workers with disabilities (5%) or Indigenous Peoples (3%)
Question: On average, in 2019 how many paid positions were…?
Average Paid Positions, Share (%)
Employment by Occupation
Sanitation and production workers were also reported as common positions in the sector
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
Highest level of Education Required
For many positions, only a high school diploma is required
For other positions, including quality assurance; supply chain; production manager; food science;management, f inance and administration; marketing; recruiter; and retail sales, a university degree is required
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%
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Business Outlook
Other Food processors are optimistic about the outlook of their business, as most (80%) anticipate an increase in revenue over the next year
7% anticipate revenue will either decrease or remain unchanged over the next year
Business Challenges
The availability of labour is the most significant business challenge within the industry, as approximately six-in-ten (58%) 32% 10% 26% 20% Availability of labour 37% 27% 22% 25% 2% Regulatory requirements (labelling, certification, qualityassurance) Other Food processors identified this as at least somewhat of a challenge
Implementing new technologies (50%) and regulatory requirements (47%) were also viewed as challenges by a large share of processors 5% 8% 25% Consumer trends 29% 26% 35% Waste reduction and other environmental requirements 10% 30% 34% 5% 3% 40% 29% Implementing new technologies Extreme challenge Somewhat of a challenge A little bit of a challenge 19% 2% Not at all a challenge Don't Know Q
WORKFORCE AVAILABILITY AND RECRUITMENT
Business Challenges
29% reported experiencing occasional or seasonal challenges
All together, 63% report some form of challenges recruiting or retaining qualified workers
Approximately one-third reported experiencing no challenges recruiting or retaining workers
Approximately one-third (34%) of Canada’s Other Food processors reported not being able to fill positions or chronic recruitment challenges.
Workforce Availability
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
Recruitment Challenges
The majority of processors (50%) reported these challenges have remained constant over the past year
Only 4% reported recruitment challenges decreased over the past year
41% of Other Food processors reported an increase in recruitment challenges over the past year, with 18% indicating a significant increase.
Other Food Processors Roles Most Difficult to Recruit For
Two-thirds (67%) of Other Food processors cite production-related positions, as the most difficult to recruit for
Around one in four (23%) find kitchen or administrative (23%) positions to be the most difficult to recruit for
38% cited other positions not listed as the most difficult to recruit for
Human Resource Challenges
The most prominent issue, reported as at least somewhat challenging by the majority of processors (53%), was applicants with compensation expectation that were too high
A lack of qualified applicants was also identified as at least somewhat of a challenge by the majority of processors wage expectations (56%).
Most Other Food processors (60%) report having a dedicated human resources staff or department.
Immigration Programs
13% of Other Food processors reported utilizing the TFWP, while 6% reported utilizing the PNP program.
Underrepresented Groups
The majority of Other Food processors reported making concerted efforts to recruit youth under 30 (59%) and women (54%)
Recruitment efforts lagged behind for Indigenous Peoples (28%) and people with disabilities (24%)
WORKFORCE WAGES AND BENEFITS
Most Other Food processors (63%) reported offering benefits at their plant or organization, one of the highest proportions across the food and beverage processing industry.
Of those who provide benefits, nearly all processors (96%) provide employees with extended health or drug plans, while paid days and sick leave were also frequently reported by 74% of processors
Fewer than half of processors reported offering RRSP matching (44%), pension plans (36%) and tuition reimbursement (30%)
Benefits Offered
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
TRAINING AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
In a Snapshot
Other Food processors reported an average training budget of $18,455 annually.
On average, this equates to approximately $410 per paid position.
The sector utilizes a variety of training tools, while on-the-job training (90%) and in-house training (87%) are the most common tools used.
Automation in the Other Food Sector
22% of Other Food processors reported moderate integration of automated production processes
Approximately one in five processors (22%) reported no integration, slightly higher than the total sample
Educational Programming
Nearly half (48%) of Other Food processors rate the educational programming designed to produce graduates for their sector as being inadequate or non-existent
Four-in-ten (40%) processors think it is, at a minimum, adequate
Perceived Threat
The majority of Other Food processors surveyed (87%) think COVID-19 poses at least some threat to their business, while a significant portion (41%) feel highly threatened by it.