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Rising Skills: Emerging Skills in the Food Services Trades

Commercial kitchens are becoming more automated, connected, and diverse workplaces. This briefing looks at the skill sets that food services tradespeople—in particular, the Red Seal trades of cook and baker—need to adapt, as well as how employers can find the skilled talent they need.

Executive Summary

Four trends are defining the future of food services trades: automated cooking and baking processes, labour shortages, the increasing popularity of mobile apps for restaurants and the growing use of social media. To address these shifts, food services tradespeople need communication, adaptability, client relations, management, and creativity skills.

This issue briefing suggests ways to strengthen training and upskilling for tradespeople in the Canadian food services trade sector:

Prioritize social and emotional skills in apprenticeship training.
Raise awareness of the meaningful career opportunities in the food services trades.
Adjust the Provincial Nominee Program to include cooks, chefs, and bakers in regions facing labour shortages in these occupations.
Raise awareness of the benefits of a diverse and inclusive workforce.