More than 40 students from 13 universities will join 20,000+ fresh produce and floral industry members in Anaheim, California this October for the PMA Fresh Summit Convention & Expo.
The visit forms part of the PMA Foundation Career Pathways programme, created in 2004 with the help of Jay and Ruthie Pack Family Foundation, to introduce college students with diverse educational backgrounds to the industry’s vast opportunities through a series of career panel discussions, educational workshops and networking.
Participants will embark on an industry tour for the first time this year, hosted by Ready Pac Foods, Inc. “Acquiring and sustaining talent is a significant issue in our industry,” says Ready Pac’s Tristan Simpson, vice president corporate communications. “It’s so important to invest time and effort into programmes like this one, a programme that can provide such valuable resources. We’re looking forward to welcoming the students, and I’m sure we’ll all make great connections.”
Julianne Crapps, category manager for Sysco, was a PMA Foundation Career Pathways participant in 2014. “The Career Pathways programme gave me various career options upon graduation, which offered a strong start to my professional journey. It has also offered me various industry contacts that I remain in touch with today.”
The Career Pathways programme is part of the PMA Foundation’s initiative to establish a workforce with the diverse skills necessary to meet the complex demands of business.
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