Food Processing educational consortium

FPEC Board ofTrustees

FPEC Mission Statement “To create, develop, and implement a career path for technicians that provides foundational and ongoing education for individuals who demonstrate the qualities and attributes of qualified, certified technicians in all segments of the processing, packaging, and food and beverage industries. We will actively recruit qualified candidates and stakeholders/partners to this program."

FPEC was Created to Tackle Finding qualified replacement technicians as veteran technicians retire Increasing the number of qualified technicians who can manage and service increasingly complex equipment and machinery

FPEC was Created to Tackle Undertaking the role of developing a nationally coordinated program to prepare future technicians Ensuring that technicians are adequately trained so they can provide optimal performance of processing equipment

In the United Stated there are currently 3.5 million unfilled “middle-skilled” jobs that do not require a four-year degree and make up the largest part of the labor market in the country.

What is FPEC Doing? Working to build a new two-year degree program that covers mechanical and electrical engineering principles

What is FPEC Doing? Creating a new professional credential, entitled the FIT (Food Industry Technician Certification) which blends academic knowledge, practical experience, and additional training to prepare new technicians

What is FPEC Doing? Offering existing technicians the opportunity to pursue career growth and development by earning a FIT Certification

ITT TechnicalInstitute ITT EDUCATIO N FDR THE FUTURE

What is FPEC Doing? Development of a conversion program. Allows students who have successfully completed all of their courses to receive their degree, but not yet the prerequisite classes pertaining to the FIT Program, will be hired and employed by the industry companies while they complete their remaining classes.

What is FPEC Doing? Development of an end-cap program. Candidates who meet certain work experience criteria but who have not yet completed the required FIT Certified academic requirements will be able to continue working while enrolled in specified classes that will lead to successful completion of the course work and FIT Certification.

Conclusions Two points: The certification is an industry certification.