The Institute of Food Processing Technology (IFPT) celebrated their grand opening last week in Ontario, Canada at the Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning. This is a big step to strive for more growth in Canada’s already-popular food processing and manufacturing industry, as the IFPT will train students on a variety of projects related to the business. Here we’ll take a closer look at the grand opening of IFPT and reveal what it means to Ontario residents.
What is IFPT?
You might be surprised to hear that the Institute of Food Processing Technology (IFPT) is Ontario’s first training facility developed specifically for the food processing and manufacturing industry. It was created through a partnership between Alliance of Ontario Food Processors (AOFP) and Conestoga with the goal of becoming an all-inclusive learning center for individuals looking to get started in the food processing business. Developers for IFPT know how difficult it is to get started in this all-too-important industry, which is why they decided to create IFPT.
TriMach Group was tasked with the installation and integration of multiple lines of processing equipment for the IFPT facility, including baking, vegetable processing and liquid processing in addition to mechanical and electrical work.
Although much of Canada is having success in the food manufacturing and processing industry, Ontario’s numbers have been dwindling. In fact, a recent study suggests that if Ontario’s industry remains on the path it’s currently on, it will see a dramatic decline by 2015. Thankfully, however, the grand opening of IFPT is a bright ray of hope for the region, as they are certain to see an influx of new workers.
During the grand opening, Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, was at the Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning to hand out awards and certificates to those attending. This was an otherwise small gesture that meant the world to some of the students enrolled in classes here. The grand opening also featured several speeches giving praise to the future students and teachers.
We’ll have to wait a while to see how much effect IFPT has on Ontario’s dwindling food processing and manufacturing industry, but it’s already looking promising. One of the reasons why residents believe it will be a success is because it’s a combination of industry, government and educational branches all working together to create the perfect learning environment. These branches are able to offer support and resources to one another; therefore, creating a unique environment that isn’t found in traditional educational classes or college courses.