Four giants of the Detroit food industry have joined together for a new jobs training program that provides a career pathway into the food and agriculture trades.
Eastern Market Corporation, Wolverine Packing Co, E.W. Grobbel, and Germack have partnered with Greenhorn Training Solutions to launch Food Industry Jobs. The inaugural cohort will teach 25 students over the course of two-and-a-half weeks beginning Wednesday, May 1.
The curriculum includes food industry basics, career skills, and ServSafe Food Handling certification. Michigan State University and Detroit Edison Public School Academy consulted on curriculum design.
"Food processing and distribution provides a great portal for Detroiters who have limited skill sets to enter the workforce," says Dan Carmody, president, Eastern Market Corporation.
"There are many growth opportunities for dedicated workers to continuously build their skills and talent."
The Food Industry Jobs program comes at no charge to the students. Three additional cohorts of 25 students each are planned for the rest of the year.
"We’ll evaluate after the first cohort, but we are applying for grants and looking to connect with additional partners to help fund the program on a continuous basis," Carmody says.
The food industry remains an integral part of Michigan’s economy and an opportunity for the entry-level workforce.
"Growing and developing people both personally and professionally is the heart of what we do every day," says Jason Grobbel, CEO of E.W. Grobbel.
"Trained, dedicated, hard-working people have tremendous opportunity within the food industry. Food industry jobs are vital to Michigan’s economic diversity and stability."
Applications for Food Industry Jobs are available online.
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