What career pathways exist in Michigan for food system workers? Where can Michiganders get the education and training necessary to enter and advance into these opportunities?
Corporation for a Skilled Workforce and Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems are pleased to share Food Systems Career Pathways in Michigan, an overview of career opportunities in Michigan’s food systems industries.
The core Food System Sector is made up of a diverse number of industries that span the production-consumption lifecycle of food grown in Michigan—from the farm to grocery stores and restaurants, the processing, transportation and storage that support these food products. Likewise, the workforce of the Food System is comprised of an array of occupations. And, access to quality data on jobs and opportunities in Michigan, how to access them, any advancement opportunities they provide, and their capacity to pay family-sustaining wages are critical to advancing equity in the Michigan food system.
This resource is an overview of the jobs that exist, the skills and education required, and the respective wages for six food system subsectors:
- Food Production,
- Food Inputs and Services,
- Food Manufacturing and Processing,
- Wholesale Food Distribution or Storage,
- Retail Food Distribution, and
- Food Preparation and Service.
The career pathway maps illustrate how food system employees change careers or move into higher skilled, higher paying jobs – and how associated businesses or workforce agencies can help individuals develop their careers.
This report also includes employment statistics from 2019 and 2020, projected five-year growth, level of demand for each job type, and what educational programs are available for career advancement.
This information builds on the Michigan Local and Regional Food Systems Workforce Assessment.
For more information, please contact: Megan Elyse Williams at mwilliams@skilledwork.org.
This work was made possible through funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and MSU Extension.
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