David L. Schultz's Testimony
Testimony of David L. Schultz to the PA House Labor Relations Committee
Dear Chairman Belfanti, Chairman DiGirololamo and members of the House Labor Relations Committee my name is David L. Schultz and I am the Training Coordinator for Ateeco, Inc. / Mrs. T’s Pierogies located in Shenandoah, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania and I am here to speak on behalf of the Northeast PA Food Processing Industry Partnership.
I am responsible for the training and learning management of our 230 employees and have found the Industry Partnership to be an invaluable resource to enhancing the skills of our workforce. Our Industry Partnership was formed in early 2007 and I have been an active participant since 2008, during this time I have had the pleasure of working closely with Jack Hallick, Human Resources Manager of Michael Foods Egg Products in Klingerstown, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.
Officially our Industry Partnership has 22 member companies from Luzerne and Schuylkill counties. During 2007 – 2008 the Northeast PA Food Processing Industry Partnership was able to assist 15 of our member companies with their training needs using grant funding totaling $231,115.00 these training initiatives provided 329 workers with the enhanced skills required for their companies to remain competitive and in some cases additional career opportunities and increased wages resulted.
Recently we have struggled to maintain the viability of our Industry Partnership. As grant funding for training has not been available most member companies no longer see the value of participating in the Northeast PA Food Processing Industry Partnership.
Unfortunately, current full time participation consists of only Ateeco, Inc. / Mrs. T’s Pierogies and Michael Foods Egg Products. Both of our companies fully understand the value of bringing industry to the table in a collaborative effort to enhance the competitiveness of our individual businesses, as well as Pennsylvania’s economy as a whole. Despite this the Northeast PA Food Processing Industry Partnership has been proactive in addressing the needs of our industry cluster.
In June of 2009 The Northeast Pennsylvania Food Industry Partnership presented a Voluntary Protection Program seminar. This event highlighted the value of OSHA’s Strategic Partnership Program as it relates to the Food Industry. This seminar was facilitated by Michael Foods Egg Products employees and was attended by 25 representatives of several local food processors.
We have also identified the need for a ready pool of candidates for open entry level positions in local food processing companies. The Qualified Food Worker Certification Program is a five day training program for individuals interested in working in the food processing industry. The training consists of:
- Introduction to the Food Processing Industry
- Food Regulations & Standard Industry Practices
- Basic Food Microbiology
- Microbial Pathogens
- Chemical Hazards & Allergens
- Physical Hazards & Foreign Matter Control
- Good Manufacturing Practice (GMPs) – Personal Hygiene & Employee Practices; Facilities, Grounds and Equipment, Pest Control
- Sanitation
- Introduction to HACCP – Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points
- Introduction to Food Defense
- Basic Principles of Quality
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OSHA 10-hour for General Industry
The Northeast PA Food Processing Industry Partnership believed so strongly in the need for this training in our area we used $10,500.00 from our Sustainability Fund to develop the curricula and allow interested persons to participate at no cost. Six of our member companies committed to providing interviews to anyone completing the training.
In September 2009 this training became a reality, 17 people attended the weeklong event. Five were interviewed by Northeast PA Food Processing Industry Partnership member companies and three were hired. The Qualified Food Worker Certification is now on the State Training Provider List.
We have also developed a logo for the Northeast PA Food Processing Industry Partnership and are currently working on a website as well.
Looking forward Ateeco, Inc. / Mrs. T’s Pierogies and Michael Foods Egg Products are currently collaborating on procedure writing training for our Quality Assurance employees. We have identified other common needs as well. Michael Foods Egg Products has been willing to share best practices with Ateeco, Inc. / Mrs. T’s Pierogies as we begin our journey towards SQF certification. By joining together at the industry cluster level we shall be able to provide needed training opportunities for our employees in a cost effective manner.
Coming together to address common workforce needs is how Industry Partnerships should function. We understand that a better-educated workforce with advanced skills means a more competitive company, which in turn creates a stronger economy for Pennsylvania.
Industry Partnerships are a cooperative endeavor between government and industry, but to remain viable they require the support of government. Industry Partnerships have considerable potential and if left unfunded will reduce the ability of Pennsylvania businesses to stay competitive in an already weak economy. I am confident that at this critical time government and industry can come together to ensure Industry Partnership funding in a fiscally responsible manner.
In closing I would like to thank Chairman Belfanti, Chairman DiGirololamo and members of the House Labor Relations Committee for the opportunity to provide my comments.
David L. Schultz
Training Coordinator
Ateeco, Inc. Mrs. T's Pierogies
600 East Center Street
Shenandoah, PA 17976
Phone: 570.462.2745
Fax: 570.462.0151
E-mail: dschultz@pierogies.com