Hiring for the Skills of Tomorrow

A FREE Four-Part Webinar Series

Presented by The Packer and Equitable Food Initiative (EFI)

FREE WEBINAR

Register Now for Session 3:

Hiring for the Skills of Tomorrow

Now Available On Demand

Jobs in agriculture that were once relatively simple now require high performance work practices, new technology and enhanced skills. In a conversation moderated by Kevin Boyle featuring speakers Erika Castro and Vivian Page, this session will examine the ways skill standards in agricultural work can be used by employers and farmworkers to access greater professional opportunities and create healthier workplaces.

Key topics and takeaways include:

• Gaining perspective on the expansion of new technology and the role of high-level soft skills
• Creating new opportunities for upskilling and credentialing agricultural workers
• Reexamining the basic skill set necessary to meet an organization’s performance goals
• Using workforce development training to attract, impact and retain workers

Ideal for human resources staff, grower/owner and anyone in farm management, this webinar will shine a new light on the changing face of ag employees and their work environment.

Register now

Speakers:

Kevin Boyle is dedicated to working with growers and their employees in developing skills and competencies in workforce education and development, improved work environment, food safety and sustainable pest management. Kevin retired from the telephone industry after 10 years in driving workforce education and the design of new workplaces during times of major technological and market-driven changes. Upon retirement, he began consulting with major global corporations and unions in developing approaches to maintain a high level of performance and workplace quality while responding to changes within their industry supply chain due to market, technical and social drivers. As an early consultant to EFI, Kevin facilitated the design of a multi-stakeholder systems approach to improving and developing the fresh produce supply chain across the Americas. “Growing up on a family farm still operating after 130 years, is a return to a life that has deep meaning and is my heritage.” 

Erika Castro

As an experienced human resources leader and business partner, Erika has used her strong interpersonal skills and a blend of experience in various positions at Windset Farms to facilitate leadership development programs.  She has successfully assisted in creating cultures of collaboration and implementing change to achieve workforce excellence.  Through hard work and dedication, Erika has gained experience in several aspects of human resources including employee training and development, recruitment, knowledge of U.S. work visa rules and regulations, intercultural communication, managing change and policy development. 

In 2016, Erika became a part of Windset Farms’ EFI Continuous Improvement Committee and proudly took on the role of EFI Coordinator for Windset Farms.  In 2021, Erika was nominated to join the EFI advisory group as a representative.

Erika’s goals are to continue to develop her skills to advance her professional growth in her career in the HR field and to continue to assist and support her colleagues in reaching new levels of skills, knowledge and attitudes. 

Vivian Page

Vivian Page is an experienced human capital executive with a passion for building company culture, engagement and a sustainable and talented workforce. Born and raised in Guatemala, she has a degree in political science from Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala and an executive leadership program certification from the University of California-Berkeley. As VP of Human Capital, Page oversees human capital functions across Stemilt’s vast orchard and packing operations with an emphasis on culture, talent development and advancing the company’s purpose of cultivating people and delighting consumers through excellence. Prior to joining Stemilt, she spent 23 years at Talking Rain, and was instrumental in taking the company from start-up to beverage leader with its top sparkling water brand, Sparkling Ice.