The problem: A shortage of qualified technicians

The food processing and packaging industries need technicians that have the ability to install, service, and maintain equipment with a high level of sophistication that companies depend on in the food processing, packaging and equipment manufacturing environment.

Food and beverage companies are facing a skills gap that is impacting their bottom line.

• In a recent survey of food industry leaders, respondents said that finding qualified technicians is a “major problem.”
• The technician workforce is shrinking as veteran technicians retire.
• The industry needs more technicians who can manage and service increasingly complex equipment and machinery.
• The role of a technician requires knowledge in several areas, and there is not a nationally coordinated program to prepare future technicians.
• Training of a newly hired technician can take 18 months or longer, driving up the cost of hiring and replacing technicians and undermining the optimal performance of processing equipment.

The Solution: The FIT program

The FPSA continually delivers educational opportunities to their members. Webinars, Process Expo University, and Student and Young Professional groups are some of the many educational opportunities provided by FPSA. These opportunities have been developed to provide assistance for our members as they find solutions to today’s problems and opportunities in the food processing and packaging environment. The FPSA also hosts the largest food & beverage tradeshow, PROCESS EXPO, which provides solutions to food technology and brings together the world’s most successful food and beverage processors, equipment manufacturers and leaders in the field of academia. The FIT program is an extension of the services already provided by the FPSA.

FIT offers members a new way to recruit trained and certified Food Industry Technicians for members of our Association.  FIT takes theory-based knowledge right into the classroom for hands on experience. Students in the program train on equipment that simulates a plant like environment. Stuffers, Grinders, Slicers, Conveyors, Motors, Sensors, Detection Systems, and many more are all equipment used in our classroom.

  
  

Why Us

The FIT Program is creating skilled professionals specifically for the food industry.  FIT students are choosing our program and career opportunities for stability, great paying career opportunities that include relocation and travel.   Students who have a cumulative 3.0 GPA and graduate from LT’s one-year Electrical & Electronics Systems Technicians Diploma Program are choosing our program because it creates great career opportunities.  Our students are excited about using their learned skills and growing within your company.

What We’re Doing

• Working with a nationally recognized, technical career training institute with campuses across the U.S. to build a new program that expands the student’s knowledge of technologies that are commonly found in the food processing industry. These include:
  • • Industry basics: safety, sanitary design, sanitation, blueprint reading and electrical schematics
    • Mechanical equipment: bearings, gear boxes, gearing, reducers, drive mechanisms, conveyors and belts
    • Electrical: AC/DC, high and low voltage systems, PLC’s, Variable Frequency Drives
    • Motors: types, wiring, control systems, how to replace, washdown ratings and protection
    • Sensors: different types, uses and trouble shooting
• Creating a new professional credential, the FIT (Food Industry Technician) Certification, which blends academic knowledge, practical experience, and additional training to prepare new technicians.
• Offering existing technicians, the opportunity to pursue career growth and development by earning a FIT Certification

Benefits of participating in the FIT program:

• Gain access to a pool of qualified entry level technicians to bridge the skills gap
• Decrease the time and costs associated with technician training.
• Reduce technician turnover rates.
• Create a career path for existing employees.
• Invest in talent that is trained with the needed skills used in our industry today.