Skilled Trades in Ontario’s Food and Beverage Procession Industry | CareersNow! Mentorship Series – Part II

Part II in the Skilled Trade Series if you would like to see part I then check out it out here

Spotlight on Skilled Trade Careers 

In our second mentorship session on Skilled Trades, 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. 

Here’s a summary of what our speakers had to say:

Brittany Henry, Certified Millwright and Electrical Apprentice at FreshStone Brands

How Did You 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.

 What made her switch was that there was an electrical apprenticeship opportunity there. Originally Brittany quit her job because she couldn’t get an apprenticeships. 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.”

Why Is Maintenance Important?

• “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?

“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.”

What Advice Would You Give to Someone Considering Maintenance?

“Just do it. Just get in there. There’s only one way to find out if it’s something you like.”

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.

Is the Food Industry a Good Place to Work?

“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.”

Kevin Gutter, Maintenance and Reliability Manager at Dr. Oekter

What Do You Do in Maintenance?

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.”

His team uses tools like Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) to improve reliability and prevent breakdowns.

How did Kevin get into Maintenance?

Kevin’s journey began over 30 years ago when he decided to pursue a skilled trade. It felt like a natural path—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.

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.

Why do you love what you do?

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

What advice would 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.”

Why Did You Transfer From Pharmaceuticals to the Food Industry?

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.”

Who Do You Work With in the Facility?

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.

He values the culture at Dr. Oetker:

“Dr. Oetker is a really great organization to have life/work balance.”

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

How Did Dare Get Into Maintenance?

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.”

Who Do You Work With in the Facility?

Dare sees the production team as customers, and values close collaboration with them and the sanitation department.

“Sanitation will call you over if they know something is wrong, and you need to be able to listen. Therefore, you have to treat them like your clients.”

What Soft Skills Do You Look for in Your Maintenance Team?

• “Being a good communicator.”

• “Ask a lot of questions.”

All participant questions

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

• 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

• 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.”