Skilled Trade Careers in Ontario’s Food and Beverage Industry: Advice from 3 More Pros (Part 2)

Last Updated on November 10, 2026

Are you looking for a career where you get to use your hands and challenge your brain? Then look no further than the skilled trades within the food and beverage industry.

In our second mentorship session on Skilled Trades, in collaboration with CareersNOW!, guest speakers shared their experiences working in roles such as maintenance mechanic, millwright, and maintenance manager. They also offered advice on how to get started in the trades within the food and beverage sector. Watch the full session below (and check out Part 1), or keep reading for the recap.

Brittany Henry, Certified Millwright and Electrical Apprentice at FreshStone Brands

How Did Brittany Get Into the Food Industry?

Brittany began working in a deli bakery, then moved into the automotive industry at age 19, where she worked in production for about three years. After a total of 10 years in automotive, she decided to pursue the skilled trades. Brittany switched to the food and beverage industry because there were jobs available, and she could not find a job in automotive. She decided to do the industrial maintenance mechanic program and that was a year program. She worked part time while doing that.

What Does Brittany Like About the Food Industry?

“The days go by really fast. I work with a fabulous group in the maintenance team, which are always doing projects to keep the line going. I’ve been with this company for a little over a year and have found it very supportive. It is humbling when you find an environment like that.”

Why Is Maintenance Important to the Food and Beverage Industry?

According to Brittany, maintenance are the ones to keep the line running, and if the lines aren’t running, then people can’t work.

Is There Career Advancement in Maintenance Within the Food Industry?

“There is a lot of opportunities for advancement. Specifically the food industry is so stable compared to the automotive industry because everyone has to eat. A lot of these companies are growing and there are a lot of opportunities to grow with them.”

Have You Faced Barriers as a Woman in the Skilled Trades?

Brittany notes that the job can be physical, which might be harder for some, but she doesn’t hesitate to ask for support when needed.

“This job can be more physical than others, which can be tougher for other people. However, I’m not afraid to ask for help if I need someone to help me slug something and they are more than [willing to help]. For the most part, there have been good experiences (a few negative ones) but for the most part, pretty good. People are pretty friendly and willing to help if you are like that to them.”

Kevin Gutter, Maintenance and Reliability Manager at Dr. Oetker

What Do You Do as a Maintenance and Reliability Manager at Dr. Oetker?

Kevin leads a team of 25 team members mostly made up of the skilled trade including millwrights, electricians, control technicians, and refrigeration specialists.

“The main responsibility of maintenance is to maintain production equipment and optimize their performance, like developing maintenance strategies and continuously monitoring equipment performance.”

As part of the maintenance team, Kevin works closely with the quality and food safety departments, as well as production, who make many of the key decisions. His team uses tools like Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) to improve reliability and prevent breakdowns.

How Did Kevin Get Into Maintenance within the Food and Beverage Industry?

Kevin’s journey began over 30 years ago when he decided to pursue a skilled trade. It felt like a natural path, as his father and grandfather were both tradespeople, and he was always interested in plumbing and pipefitting. Over time, he expanded his qualifications, earning certifications in Gas Fitter 1 & 2, propane fitting, and even returning to school for AutoCAD. Eventually, he found his way into industrial engineering.

After working in the pharmaceutical industry, Kevin sought something more sustainable and made the switch to food manufacturing. Kevin highlights the similarities in regulatory standards between the pharmaceutical and food sectors.

“Due to the regulations, like the pharmaceutical industry, there are high levels of safety with everything that you do. You never want people taking risks. The food industry has to be quite clean. There are a lot of rules to follow, but they are not difficult, because these are food products that we are going to feed our families.”

He spent four years at Maple Leaf Foods, where his focus was on building a more positive maintenance culture. He then made the leap to Dr. Oetker, drawn by the opportunity to work in one of the most advanced food manufacturing facilities in the world.

What Advice Would You Give to Someone Looking to Get Into the Skilled Trades?

“Just believe in yourself. In being able to do that, you can figure out where you know you can contribute. Have an open mind and don’t be afraid to express yourself.” Kevin believes growth comes from making mistakes and learning from them. “I openly admit I make more mistakes probably than anyone on my team, to be honest with you. I feel it’s okay to do that. We find it, fix it, forget it. Right? So go make that mistake, own up to your mistakes. Just have that open mind and don’t be afraid to get involved.

“I’ve never regretted getting into the skilled trades, and I’m proud to say that I’m a skilled tradesperson.

Dare Doerflex, Licensed Industrial Electrician / Licensed Millwright / Team Lead at Grupo Bimbo Canada

Dare’s career started when he was working at Honda but eventually there was an economic downturn and he was laid off. At the time he had a friend who was working at Maple Leaf Frozen Bakery at the time.

Although Dare didn’t have any licenses at the time, he was determined to prove himself. After two years, his manager told him that if he could get his millwright license, he’d earn a higher wage, so he did. In 2012, Dare also began his electrical apprenticeship, eventually earning that license as well.

Why Do You Enjoy Working in the Food Industry?

“It is very stable and there is something new going on every day. There is a little pressure because you have to keep things going, but it is a great place to work.”

All Participant Question

What Transferable Skills Are Needed to Be a Mechanic in the Food Industry?

This answer is a combination of what all three speakers shared! Here are the skills that came up:

• Problem-solving: “You need to be able to think about a problem and figure out how to solve it in a quick manner and correct way.”
• Mathematics and physics: The fundamentals behind how equipment works.
• Mechanical memory: “Being able to take things apart and put them back together. This involves having a good memory with things.”
• Positive attitude: “Once you have the foundation of the trade you can honestly go anywhere and any industry, so it really is down to the individual.”
• Communication: “Everyone needs to be on the same page.”

Want to Hear From More Skilled Trades Professionals?

Skilled trades keep food and beverage plants running, and there’s more than one way in! Check out Part I of the Mentorship Series to hear from more skilled trades professionals and learn about other roles in the industry.