PMA foundation to focus attention on industry's talent crunch, solutions at Fresh Summit
Newark, Del. – With baby boomers now starting to retire from the workforce in droves, finding and keeping the next era of leaders to sustain and grow the produce industry is today's challenge. This is a global issue, so the question becomes – how can produce businesses compete with the larger businesses that have the recruiting budgets to present themselves favorably potential employees? Enter the Produce Marketing Association Foundation for Industry Talent (PMA FIT) and talent-related programs and activities being featured at PMA's Fresh Summit International Convention & Exposition being held Oct. 24-27 in Orlando, Fla., USA.
PMA FIT – formerly the PMA Education Foundation – will debut not only its new name and logo, but also new offerings to attract talented prospects to the produce industry. These include a first-ever career fair, a networking event for young professionals and announcement of a new scholarship program. The Foundation's executive director will also introduce an educational workshop on retaining and motivating younger employees.
"Since the inception of the foundation we have been committed to finding ways to attract, develop and retain produce industry leaders. This year's new programs support the community that we are trying to foster, and I invite everyone attending Fresh Summit to come find out more," said Cindy Seel, executive director for the foundation.
Pack scholarships to Fresh Summit help attract new employees
PMA FIT's Fresh Summit student scholarship program – the Pack Family/PMA Career Pathways Fund – will celebrate its five-year anniversary of attracting university students to careers in the produce industry. This year, nearly 50 students and faculty from seven domestic and five international colleges and universities will participate in the program by attending Fresh Summit on scholarships. Over its five-year history, the successful scholarship program has hosted 113 students; 34 of the 65 scholarship recipients who have graduated are now employed with produce-related companies. Fresh Summit attendees can "meet" some of the program's success stories by visiting PMA FIT's "Who's New in Produce" at the base of the escalators on the first level of the convention center.
"The scholarship program is designed to help the produce industry attract new college graduates and as the numbers show, we're succeeding in that mission," said Jay Pack, a former member of PMA's board of directors, member of PMA FIT's board of directors and co-founder with PMA of the Pack Family/PMA Career Pathways Scholarship Program. "The international nature of the program also reflects the diversity of today's produce industry."
This year, PMA FIT is also sponsoring a first-time job fair at Fresh Summit. Students participating in the Pack scholarship program will have the opportunity to meet with 15 companies. The Foundation also operates an online job bank at www.producejobsource.com to advertise entry- and intermediate-level positions in the produce industry.
Workshop and networking event focus on developing, retaining employees
Related to foundation's retention mission, Seel will moderate an educational workshop on the topic of retaining talent on Friday, Oct. 24, from 2:45-4:00 p.m. "Managing Generation 'Why': Harnessing the Talents and Skills of the Next Generation" will teach managers what makes Generation Yers tick, how to build their loyalty, and techniques to energize them and encourage them to produce. Author Mark Murphy, founder and CEO of Leadership IQ, will be the featured speaker. To provide more value on this critical topic, workshop speaker Mark Murphy will be featured in two recorded Webcasts, one available on demand before the workshop and a second available after Fresh Summit. Information on how to participate is available on http://www.pma.com/events/webinars.cfm.
PMA FIT will also host a networking event for the industry's young professionals that will take place on Friday, Oct. 24, following the Fresh Summit Welcoming Reception. This event will create an opportunity for young produce professionals to meet one another and socialize in an informal environment, discuss industry issues, and develop a peer network. All young professionals interested in attending this event should contact Stephanie White at swhite@pmafit.com for more detailed event information.
For more information about the foundation or its programs, visit the PMA Center in Hall B4 at Fresh Summit or visit www.pmafit.com. For more information about the networking event for young professionals, contact Stephanie White at swhite@pmafit.com.
About PMA Foundation for Industry Talent (PMA FIT)
The PMA Foundation for Industry Talent was founded in 2006 by the Produce Marketing Association, the leading trade association for the produce industry. PMA FIT is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) corporation providing produce companies with unique programs to attract, develop and retain the produce industry's most valuable resource – talented people. PMA FIT is dedicated to ensuring a quality workforce for the industry, and making a positive difference in the lives of current and future produce professionals by developing their potential for leadership, personal growth and career success.
About Produce Marketing Association (PMA)
Founded in 1949, the Produce Marketing Association is the leading trade association serving more than 2,100 companies representing every segment of the global produce and floral supply chain. Members rely on PMA year round for the business solutions they need to increase sales and consumption, build strong professional relationships, and expand their business opportunities. For more information, visit www.pma.com.
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