FPSA to Launch Two New Events in 2026 for Early Career Professionals

McLean, VA - The Food Production Solutions Association (FPSA) today announced the launch of two comprehensive leadership development programs designed specifically for early career professionals in the food production and manufacturing sectors. The new programs, Cultivate - Leadership Growth Lab and the FPSA Emerging Leaders Program, will debut in 2026 and directly address critical workforce development needs identified in FPSA's recently released Trends in U.S. Workforce Gap and Solutions study.

According to the study, 75% of fabricators and 64% of service technicians have leadership skill deficiencies at the time of hire or promotion. Despite this significant gap, only 48% of companies currently have formal leadership training programs in place, creating a critical opportunity for targeted investment in workforce development.

"The intensifying workforce gap in U.S. food equipment manufacturing requires immediate action," said Chris Lyons, CEO of FPSA. "These two new programs represent FPSA's commitment to providing our members with practical tools and strategies to develop the leadership capabilities identified as critical in our research study. Leadership development and clear career pathways are areas where targeted investments can yield significant returns in employee engagement and retention."

Cultivate - Leadership Growth Lab

This interactive two-day conference is designed to develop foundational leadership capabilities in early to mid-career professionals through hands-on learning, peer collaboration, and practical application of leadership principles directly relevant to food production and manufacturing environments. The program will launch in the Winter of 2026, with the location and specific dates to be announced.

Emerging Leaders Program

The comprehensive four-month, cohort based Emerging Leaders Program focuses on building strategic thinking, communication excellence, and industry-specific leadership skills. Participants will gain the tools and professional network needed to advance their careers while contributing meaningfully to organizational success. The program is scheduled to launch in Spring of 2026, with additional details forthcoming. Scholarship opportunities will be available for this program.

Research from the U.S. Department of Labor's Career Pathways Descriptive and Analytical Project demonstrates that structured career pathway programs achieve significant gains in participants' educational progress and employment outcomes. The research emphasizes that clear communication of career advancement opportunities directly impacts recruitment and retention success.

FPSA's workforce study also revealed that while 75% of companies identified "lack of awareness of company career pathways" as a moderate or significant recruitment challenge, only 64% are actively outlining clear career pathways to job candidates. This gap underscores the need for both internal leadership development and external demonstration of advancement opportunities to attract and retain top talent.

"These programs will provide members with data-driven strategies to strengthen their workforce pipelines," added Lyons. "By investing in the next generation of leaders, companies can address current skill gaps while building sustainable leadership capacity for the future."

Companies interested in learning more about these programs or registering participants should contact the FPSA Education Team at info@fpsa.org. Early registration details will be announced in early 2026.

About FPSA

The Food Production Solutions Association (FPSA) is a dynamic community of food producers, equipment manufacturers, suppliers, and service providers. As the only association bringing together the entire food industry across all segments, FPSA creates a collaborative environment where industry leaders, experts, and innovators work together to shape the future of food production. Through meaningful education, industry engagement, and philanthropy, FPSA helps members navigate challenges in food safety, technology and innovation, workforce development, regulatory compliance, and career and leadership development. For more information, visit www.fpsa.org.

Media Contact
Janessa Kamps
Sr Manager, Marketing, Design & Communications
Food Production Solutions Association (FPSA)
703.761.2600 | info@fpsa.org