By Andi Anderson
The Michigan State University Institute of Agricultural Technology is expanding its Food Processing, Technology and Safety workforce training program with support from the U.S. Department of Education.
Through the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education, approximately $2.36 million will be provided over four years to help strengthen job‑focused education in Michigan’s food and agriculture sector.
The program will be supported through federal funds and contributions from MSU IAT.
The Food Processing, Technology and Safety certificate program was first launched in 2019. It offers students hands‑on training in the processes used to convert agricultural products into safe and high‑quality food items.
Students who complete the program earn an MSU certificate as well as an associate degree from one of the community college partners. With the new grant, MSU IAT will expand its partnerships from three colleges to 11, allowing more students across Michigan to benefit from short‑term workforce preparation.
Funding will enable MSU IAT to hire additional personnel, support community college coordinators, and provide scholarships for students. These scholarships will help reduce financial barriers and encourage more learners to begin and complete the program.
The FPTS curriculum will also become more flexible, offered as a 15‑credit concentration within existing agricultural programs, as a stand‑alone certificate, or as individual micro‑credentials. These micro‑credentials are designed to help working adults, career changers, and incumbent workers gain specific skills quickly.
The program is being developed in collaboration with Michigan’s workforce and industry partners, including the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Michigan Works, and licensed food processors.
These organizations help shape the curriculum and provide work‑based learning opportunities for students. Workforce partners note that micro‑credentials offer accessible and practical training that supports advancement into leadership roles.
The funding will also support the creation of a second mobile food processing lab. This mobile lab provides students with practical training experiences that reflect real industry environments. The additional lab will allow MSU IAT to serve more community colleges and employer sites, expanding hands‑on learning opportunities across rural regions.
“We will be able to deploy an additional, smaller, more flexible mobile food processing lab, with enhanced capabilities such as processing meat, to bring hands-on training directly to rural communities, community college campuses and employer sites,” Rivera said. “A second mobile lab will allow simultaneous training at multiple college and employer locations, significantly increasing capacity and reach.”
MSU IAT’s expanded efforts aim to strengthen Michigan’s food processing workforce, fill high‑demand jobs, and create clear pathways to sustainable careers.
Photo Credit: michigan-state-university-msu
Categories: Michigan, Education