Union Campus Celebrates New Food Industry Certification Program With Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.
The Foundation of the Food Processing Suppliers Association (FPSA) recently launched their Food Industry Technician (FIT) Certification Program at Lincoln Tech’s Union campus. The program was created to prepare future technicians for careers in the Food & Beverage Processing, Packaging and Equipment Manufacturing Industry. “Students in the FIT program focus on mechanics, electronics, freestanding and integrated processing equipment and advanced manufacturing,” said Gil Williams, Foundation Chairman. “Members of the Food Processing Suppliers Association will have the opportunity to interview these graduating students and fill much needed positions within their organizations.
Becoming a Food industry Technician Can Be the Perfect FIT!
Nine students were selected for the FIT pilot program and will graduate in early 2019. These students, and all others to follow, completed either Lincoln’s Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, and Heating Technology (HVAC) or Electrical and Electronics Systems Technician (EEST) t¶ before applying for the FIT training.
The 12-week/360-hour program focuses on mechanical, electrical and manufacturing automation and is taught by instructor Ernesto Reina, who has experience in teaching both HVAC and EEST t¶ and has previous work experience in the food industry.
Benefits of FIT training include:
A credential recognized across the food manufacturing, processing and packaging industries
- Access to jobs – there are over 1.5 million jobs* in over 37,000 food and beverage production and manufacturing companies in the US
- Starting salaries can be over $50,000, and experienced technicians can earn $ 65,000 - $ 85,000**
Lincoln Tech is Proud to Add Another Employer Training Program
The FPSA is currently working with Lincoln Tech on a multiple year contract for possible additional sites for the FIT program in the near future. Scott Shaw, Lincoln Tech’s President and CEO added, “We at Lincoln Tech could not be more excited about the prospects of helping to connect so many of the nation’s leading food processors and distributors with skilled graduates who can transform this industry’s workforce. We thank the Food Processing Suppliers Association for the opportunity to join this partnership and look forward to its success.”
For more information about the FIT Training program, reach out to the Union campus.
*Source: US Census Bureau (2016). 2016 County Business Patterns
**Source: Food Processing Suppliers Association