Changes in response to industry demand to upskill the workforce
The International Fresh Produce Association Australia-New Zealand (IFPA ANZ) has announced it will extend its produce-specific curriculum for members in 2025 in response to industry demand to upskill the workforce.
IFPA ANZ, in conjunction with its curriculum development partner Streamwise Learning and the Institute of Food and Grocery Management, will offer an extended programme from 2025 including restructured and new courses targeting new industry entrants, emerging leaders, senior leaders and high-level executives.
IFPA events and talent manager ANZ Brylie Bond said there was significant demand from across the supply chain for targeted, immersive programmes to help businesses attract, develop and retain key personnel.
“IFPA ANZ and Streamwise Learning have a long-standing relationship and have collaborated to grow our offering to the Australian and New Zealand fresh produce and floral industry. The quality of the courses and presentation of the content make for a dynamic experience, engaging course participants in hands-on, produce-specific and recognised leadership styles to increase sector-relevant learning,” Bond said.
“IFPA is committed to growing members’ prosperity, and that starts with programmes to grow leaders. They are key to longer-term strategies of a diverse and inclusive workforce, healthier people, and a healthier planet.”
Streamwise Learning chair Simon Kelland said the IFPA ANZ remained the best window into what was important to the fresh produce industry.
“That intelligence feeds into the content developed for the courses which offer attendees the chance to learn alongside fresh produce colleagues in a non-competitive environment, while building valuable relationships with key industry proponents,” Kelland said. ”There has been a renewed focus on matching specific course content in 2025 to more defined audiences.”
He said the annual IFPA Produce Executive Program (PEP), in its 23rd year in 2025, remains the flagship programme in the curriculum. Content is split between business capability development skills and sessions delivered by industry experts sharing insights into their personal journeys and discussing trends and opportunities.
The programme will be bolstered by a Seniors Managers Program in Geelong, Victoria in March 2025, and Emerging Managers Program in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane on various dates throughout the year.
“Those attending the Seniors Managers Program will learn how to boost their personal impact and internal presentation skills while those attending the Emerging Managers Program will gain immediate implementable skills to improve management and leadership,” Kelland said.
“Generally, we’ve found attendees get to where they are, largely because they are great operators, not necessarily because they have formal qualifications. Our courses are structured to develop these people, so they are great operators and great at running businesses and contribute more substantially to the value of the business.
“We offer business school qualifications without business school prices,” he said.
Cornell University, USA course open to members in 2025
Bond said members would again be offered the opportunity to take part in IFPA’s Executive Leadership Development Program produced in partnership with Cornell University, New York, to be held in March 2025.
“This is a world-class experience open to senior leaders in the fresh produce and floral industry with a programme designed for mid-to-senior-level produce executives, including presidents, CEOs, CFOs, vice presidents, and directors,” she said.
“At the other end of the spectrum, we offer the Career Pathways Program which targets university students at the end of their studies seeking entry into the industry. The 2025 intake opens in February for the programme to be held at (premier trade show), Hort Connections, in Brisbane, 3-6 June, 2025.
Through the Careers Pathways Program, IFPA ANZ platinum members will have exclusive access to present to students about career opportunities in their particular sectors while diamond and platinum members can engage with students around open positions in their own companies.”
