The transition from military life to a civilian career can be challenging. But the food industry is hungry for a new generation of employees and committed to easing that transition.
AIB International and the Baking Industry Alliance have partnered with USO Pathfinder to launch a series of events to assist service members with a transition to careers in the food industry. The first event in this series was an Employment Readiness Workshop on Friday, Jan. 31 on the Fort Riley military installation near our Manhattan, Kansas headquarters.
As many of today’s food safety and baking experts head toward retirement, it is crucial to train a new generation of skilled employees. While at the workshop, service members transitioning into civilian careers – as well as veterans and military spouses – had the opportunity to participate in professional networking sessions with representatives from AIB International, some of whom are veterans themselves.
Along with gaining insight on the hiring and interviewing process, attendees were introduced to possible food safety and baking careers with AIB International. Those opportunities could include food safety auditing, baking, marketing, administration, accounting and finance, client services, and sales.
“I had the pleasure of interviewing world-class candidates who were professional, ethical and genuine in their responses,” said Judi Lazaro, senior category director for food safety, AIB International. “Additionally, the other companies that were there interviewing were equally top notch. It truly was a win-win event.”
The partnership will continue with a second workforce development event in Killeen, Texas, in May 2020, following the opening of a new USO facility.