Canning and Preserving Industry Workers

Workers with a high school education start out as sorters or helpers or in similar unskilled positions. Advancement opportunities from these positions may be limited, depending on the specific food product, and the timing of the retirement of older workers. Apprenticeships may be available for workers interested in specific products like candy or cheese. With more experience, a food processing industry worker may advance to become, for example, a food batchmaker. In time, some workers can move into field contractor positions. For those interested in more advanced positions, such as food technologists and food scientists, a college degree in a related course of study is required.