Multi-Day Bootcamp

Background
The Cornell Workforce Development for Food and Dairy Processors multi-day bootcamp began in 2022 after hearing about stark workforce shortages for years. Our team took to the drawing board to create a new program to raise awareness about these jobs and recruit young, talented, and motivated individuals to these amazing industries.

The first bootcamp commenced in June of 2022 in Batavia, NY, where 12 students from the Genesee Valley BOCES spent three days immersed with our experts to learn about dairy processing. During their time in the bootcamp, they toured local plants and chatted with local employees. They were given the opportunity to ask questions about what the work was like and explore career options available in the industry. Following our second bootcamp in March 2023, we received additional funding and expanded the initiative to include adult job seekers as well. 

Since expanding our programming, our team has held five additional bootcamps, reaching over 150 individuals from the Capital Region to Southwestern New York. Each bootcamp can be tailored to the region’s or processor’s needs; therefore, we have had some bootcamps which include as many as five companies or as few as one. We have connected employers directly with qualified and excited job seekers while raising awareness. 

To learn about upcoming bootcamps, join our waiting list.

Processors
If you are expanding or just looking for help recruiting, we would love to discuss how we can help you reach your goals. If you are energized or inspired by our work, please do not hesitate to reach out. 

Jobseekers
 Attending the bootcamp provides a valuable opportunity to learn from Cornell’s experts about food safety, good manufacturing practices, milk composition, and more. In addition to classroom learning, you will tour processing plants and hear from Human Resources and the plant’s employees.