The Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) has introduced a pilot mentorship program designed to provide one-on-one guidance, tools, and resources to support career development for women in the fresh produce industry.
Proposed by CPMA’s Women in Produce Working Group, formed in 2023 to foster an inclusive work environment, the pilot will shape the mentorship program, which will officially launch in January 2025.
During the trial period, which ends in December 2024, seven women mentees will benefit from the knowledge and expertise of seven volunteers who are CPMA board and committee members. The mentors will help their mentees identify career interests and professional development goals, solve particular problems by offering guidance, move out of their comfort zones, support them in trying new things and learn and improve on experiences that may not go as planned.
The first networking event will be held on September 26 in Leamington, Ont.
A recent episode of CPMA’s Produce Talks podcast featured a panel discussion with five women working in the industry who shared their produce journeys, how they have benefited from mentors, and tips for other women in the industry.
Listen to the podcast here.
