FPSA Press Release

Media Contact: Andy Drennan SVP, Membership and Business Development 703-663-1201 [email protected]

For Immediate Release April 13, 2022

FOUNDATION OF FOOD PROCESSING SUPPLIERS EXPANDS FOOD INDUSTRY TECHNICIAN PROGRAM

McLean, VA – The Foundation of the Food Processing Suppliers Association (FFPSA) today announced a significant expansion of the FIT (Food Industry Technician) Certification Program, enlarging the footprint of the FIT classrooms at the Indianapolis campus of Lincoln Tech, hiring additional instructors, and essentially doubling the size of the student body, effective immediately with the incoming class of future technicians.

“We couldn’t be more excited about this expansion, especially given the huge need for service technicians in our industry,” said Tom Kittle, FIT Inc Chairman and President of Handtmann Inc. “Since we originally launched the FIT Program, we have seen a tremendous demand for trained and certified technicians on the part of both equipment suppliers and our customers. This increase in demand was evident as the pace of retirement of the baby-boomer generation continued to increase and spiked significantly during the COVID pandemic. This situation is not expected to let up. On the other side of this equation, we have smart, dedicated individuals looking for new opportunities who in many cases, were simply unaware of how inviting a career in the food industry can be.”

“It has been a pleasure to work with these students, especially when you see how excited they are when they realize the tremendous opportunities that this career offers,” said Gil Williams, advisor to FIT Inc and President of Poly-clip System USA. “Graduates of the FIT program are having an immediate impact on the companies that hire them and as a result, the demand for their services continues to grow. With this in mind, we realized early on that this expansion would be needed as soon as possible. Expanding the program now, not only helps to accommodate these additional candidates, but it also absolutely helps to meet the need of our OEM’s and food processors.”

The FIT Certification Program was created to prepare future technicians for careers in the Food & Beverage Processing, Packaging and Equipment Manufacturing Industry. With several classes graduating each year, these students interview with potential employers as part of the program and in many cases receive multiple offers before graduation. For more information on the FIT Program, visit https://foodindustrytechnician.com/ or contact FPSA President and CEO, David Seckman at [email protected] or 703-663-1200.

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The Foundation of the Food Processing Suppliers Association’s mission is to fund select educational, scientific, and literary projects, activities or programs of the industries served by FPSA members in such a manner that FPSA Members are benefited through industry betterment due to improved quality control and professional standards, enhanced recognition or image, and improved processor relationships.

The Food Processing Suppliers Association (FPSA) FPSA is a trade association serving suppliers to the global food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries. The Association’s programs and services assist its members in marketing their products and services, and in improving their business practices. Programs and services to achieve these objectives include PROCESS EXPO, electronic media marketing, education, research, and being the voice of its members in the public arena on issues such as food safety, sanitary design of equipment, and global trade.  FPSA members are organized in vertical industry councils which focus on specific needs and concerns that are unique to each industry sector. FPSA councils currently represent the Bakery, Beverage, Dairy, Prepared Foods and Meat sectors. For more information, visit www.fpsa.org.