Core Strategies

Attraction... creating services that attract talent from a broad base of sources
Development... building a smarter supply chain by developing competent, skilled people prepared to lead our industry
Retention... providing assistance to produce companies to create strong corporate cultures and business practices that encourage employee engagement

Goals for 2008 - 2010

Attraction Goals

The following goals create a stepped approach to working with colleges and universities to build faculty awareness and garner faculty support in promoting the rewards and opportunities of produce careers. More than 60 universities are targeted and the list is growing. Educators and career counselors become the conduit to students. The final goal serves to attract young professionals from other industries.

Inform - Educate faculty, educators and students about produce career resources.

Create, maintain and promote career website at www.generationfresh.com
Develop and introduce new career materials i.e. video, brochures, PPT and speech on career rewards and opportunities
Build faculty, educator and student network of those interested in learning more about careers in produce
Build and introduce industry visiting professor program as a speakers bureau resource for schools
Build and introduce a school ambassador program tapping into industry volunteers to participate in career fairs and classroom presentations to promote careers in produce

Immerse - Engage students in the produce industry through involvement with PMA FIT and the industry

Facilitate and coordinate industry professionals' visits to schools to promote careers in produce
Provide industry experts as career ambassadors in the classrooms to speak on industry issues and produce related topics
Drive students to Career Bank for internships
Create and offer internship best practices and opportunities for students
Create an Educators Symposium to connect educators and career counselors with the industry
Host up to 100 students in Career Pathways programs annually

Grow the Pack Family/Career Pathways program at Fresh Summit to 50 students from at least 15 schools across the globe
Expand the Nucci Scholarship for Culinary Innovation
Expand the FPFC Career Pathways program to include 5 local schools
Create Career Pathways programs with the New England Produce Council and other regional organizations
Create international Career Pathways programs

Create student leadership program to prepare students to work in the industry

Job Placement - Assist students in finding jobs in the produce industry

Expand the Career Fair at Fresh Summit
Develop an online international career fair
Use our Career Bank, www.producejobsource.com, to connect students with employers

Develop recruiting programs to attract young professionals from other industries

Development Goal

This goal focuses on assisting industry professionals in developing their leadership skills to ensure continued success for our industry.

Establish the PMA Leadership Institute, a series of leadership development programs for the produce industry designed to enhance the leadership skills of those who lead today and prepare those who will lead tomorrow. Elements include leadership assessment tools, education and training programs and a forum for networking and sharing best practices
Award scholarships to leadership events
Create and grow a young professionals network

Retention Goals

These goals are intended to enhance produce companies' ability to attract and retain talent in their own businesses.

Provide an expert body of knowledge on retention best practices and business cultures
Create an online community to share best practices and create needed resources
Develop award program recognizing progressive companies in areas of employee retention