Introduction

The JobStart/Future Skills Sector Partnerships Program of Saskatchewan Learning enabled a sector study of the food processing industry in Saskatchewan. This industry profile is based on that study, published in 2000.

The food processing industry established a partnership of industry members and key stakeholders through funding and support from the Sector Partnerships Program. These partners worked together to carry out a study that identified current and future hiring needs and training requirements.

Strategic planning enables industry and training providers to work together to provide training opportunities that match the skills the industry requires.

For more information about the Sector Partnership Report and this industry visit the Executive Summary. You'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this PDF file.

Saskatchewan Overview

• Food processing in Saskatchewan produces meat, bakery products, prepared and specialty foods, dairy products, fruit and vegetables, cereal products and grains, and other food products.
  
• A large percentage of companies produce meat and bakery products. However, 27% of production is in the area of specialty foods, fruit products and spices or condiments. Food processing is Saskatchewan’s main manufacturing industry. It accounts for 27% of all manufactured products.
  
• In 1997, the food processing industry contributed $2 billion to the provincial economy.
  
• In 1998, there were 288 Saskatchewan companies in the industry.
  
• In that year, the industry employed over 6,500 people, an increase of 500 over 1997.
  
• The occupations with the largest number of employees include labourers, machine operators and related workers, butchers, bakers, sales representatives and administration workers.
  
• Saskatchewan food processors sell their products locally, in other provinces and internationally. Nineteen percent of food processors export their goods.
  
• Saskatchewan food exports have increased by almost 90% since 1993, the highest increase in Canada. Primary export markets include the U.S.A., Japan, South Korea and Mexico.
  

Kinds of employers

• Most food processors in Saskatchewan are small to medium-sized companies. Eighty percent employ less than 20 people.
  
• Larger companies are involved in meat packing and poultry and dairy processing.
  
• The average small company employs seven workers. The average large company employs 74 workers.

Who works in the industry?

• The food processing workforce is typically young, well-educated and culturally diverse.
  
• More people working in food processing (76%) are between the ages of 25 and 54 than in other industries. The largest age group (60%) are between the ages of 25 and 44.
  
• Sixty-two percent of workers in this industry have completed high school.
  
• Six percent of workers in the food processing industry are Aboriginal.
  
• Three percent of workers are visible minorities.
  
• People with disabilities and women are under represented in the industry.
  
  

Saskatchewan Trends

• The food processing industry is an increasingly important and dynamic part of Saskatchewan’s economy.
  
• Companies need to respond to consumer trends. Customers increasingly demand ethnic foods, organic and health foods, specialty meats and ready-to-eat foods.
  
• Growth markets include meat processing, specialty livestock operations and fruit products.
  
• Globalization is opening new markets for Saskatchewan companies. However, they also have more competition from companies outside the province.
  
• More and more companies will be exporting and will need the skills and knowledge to do so successfully.
  
• More domestic and foreign buyers now require that processors follow standards for safety, consistency, visual appeal and nutrition.
  
• Many food processors are automating their production processes to minimize costs and compete more effectively.
  
• Large employers need less manual labour as they bring new technology into their plants. Workers need to be computer-literate to deal with ever-increasing technology.
  
• Companies surveyed in 1999 expected employment growth to 2003 for machine operators and related workers, butchers, bakers, supervisors, labourers and sales representatives.
  
• Companies reported few vacant positions. For the most part, there was no lack of skilled workers.
  
• Full-time jobs are not always available due to the seasonal nature of some products.

Related Jobs

The following list provides an idea of some of the jobs in the food processing area.

Where there is a relevant occupational description in Saskatchewan Job Futures, you can click on the job to go directly to that description. You’ll learn more about the occupation, including education and training requirements, work duties, wage information and employment trends.

National Occupational Classification (NOC) numbers follow the job title. You can use the NOC numbers to look up the occupations in the NOC.

Other related jobs include: general office clerk, accounting clerk, plumber, pipefitter, electrician, power engineer, quality assurance manager, lab technician, sanitation supervisor, demonstrator, cashier, farmer, and fisher.

Where the Jobs Are

Small rural businesses make up the majority of food processing companies in the province.

Almost three-quarters (72%) of companies are located outside the large centres of Saskatoon and Regina.

Of the companies surveyed in 1999, 58% were located in a community of less than 1,000 people.

Earnings

According to the 1997 Saskatchewan Sector Study: Agri-value Report, the average annual income of professional and technical staff and labourers ranged from $30,000 to $49,999.

Marketing and sales employees averaged $40,000 a year.

The average annual income of owners, managers and supervisors was $55,000.

Skills and Training

Courses relevant to the food processing industry are offered at the University of Regina, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST), regional colleges and other training providers.

Want to find out what kind of related education and training programs are offered in Saskatchewan? Check into What to Study? to find out what’s available and where.

Skills and knowledge that workers and managers in the industry need include:

Workers

Employers look for workers who are reliable, pay attention to personal hygiene and have a good work ethic. Employees need to be able to work under direction, independently and in a team.

Employees who develop specialized skills have more opportunities for better-paying work with more responsibility.

The Future

Most Saskatchewan food processing companies surveyed in 1999 expect that information technology (computers, automation and the Internet) will affect their business and their need for workers.

Related Information

Visit the following Web sites for more information on the food processing industry:

Saskatchewan Food Processors Association
Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre
Food and Beverage Processing (Saskatchewan Industry and Resources)
Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization

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