The Food Processing Education Consortium (FPEC) announced the creation of the Food Industry Technicians Development Program (FIT), the first national certification program for service technicians in the packaging, processing and food and beverage manufacturing industries.
Created last year by the Foundation of the Food Processing Suppliers Association (FPSA), FPEC was established with the goal of developing and implementing a career path for technicians. According to FPEC, the US currently has 3.5 million unfilled middle-skill jobs that do not require a four-year degree. The new FIT program addresses the food industry’s need for hirable, trained technicians.