NC will be part of a new national network, led by the University of Guelph, to create an agri-food innovation and entrepreneurship training platform that aims to make Canada the global leader in developing agri-food innovation.
On January 25, Terry Duguid, Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, on behalf of Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne announced $16.3 million over five years to the University of Guelph, in support of Sustainable Food Systems for Canada (SF4C).
The SF4C platform will be designed to develop skills and offer entrepreneurial education, equipping the agri-food ecosystem with the tools required to move new innovations from university lab-based prototypes to fully commercialized technologies.
Funds were allocated through Lab to Market grants which support post-secondary institutions and their affiliates in creating and sustaining networks dedicated to developing and delivering entrepreneurial skills training.
View University of Guelph news release here.
NC involvement
NC’s participation will focus on training platform component of the project – a co-op and micro-credential training platform that will provide experience and interdisciplinary training in foundational agri-food skills, virtual interactive seminars and in-person learning opportunities.
Culinary Innovation and Food Technology Professor Amy Proulx, PhD, who is leading NC’s involvement, is looking forward to sharing her expertise in instructional design and food systems leadership with the SF4C’s national team.
“We need innovators more than ever to respond to the many transformations occurring in our Canadian agriculture and food sector. Innovation is a skill, and therefore it’s something we can teach and learn,” said Proulx. “Micro credentials are a practical way to meet these learning needs, by making learning accessible through both formal education and non-traditional learning.”
Proulx noted that, within the Sustainable Food Systems for Canada network, they will be creating shared learning resources to accelerate skill development for sustainable innovation.
“Canada’s colleges take a unique approach to learning, using Competency Based Education and Training practice, which makes learning methods practical and focused on immediate application for work and business development,” said Proulx. “We’re proud to share our experience in labour market needs assessment, skills forecasting, instructional design and micro-credential development with the collaborative national network.”
She also highlighted the importance of sustainability, innovation and productivity, which she views as the agrifood sect\s greatest opportunities.
“Within each of these themes are skills and competencies that must be learned,” she said. “The NSERC Lab to Market program is exciting, because we are coming together as a national consortium of higher education institutions, all focused on aligning our efforts to create a sustainable and globally competitive Canadian agriculture and food sector.”
Proulx, who is also University of Guelph alumna, noted that, in her experience, the University appreciates how Niagara College has been leading in competency-based education and training and innovative labour market needs assessment to understand future skills development for the agriculture and food sectors.
“I’ve been really fortunate to have led on multiple national and international education and training projects related to food systems, sustainability and innovation,” said Proulx. “I look forward to sharing my expertise in instructional design and food systems leadership with the national team.”
Proulx is a Professor and Program Coordinator for NC’s Culinary Innovation and Food Technology (Co-op) program. She also brings her food science expertise to the College’s Research & Innovation division, as a Technical Research Leader for the Food and Beverage Innovation Centre.
In November 2024, she was awarded an Honorable Mention in Education Excellence at the 2024 Excellence in Agriculture Awards for her work in agrifood systems education in Ontario and around the world.
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