ESTABLISHING AN EDUCATIONAL PIPELINE TO STRENGTHEN THE MEAT POULTRY PROCESSING INDUSTRY WORKFORCE IN GUAM

The main goal of this proposal is to develop workforce for the meat and poultry proecssing (MPP) industry on Guam. We are proposing a graduate and/or undergraduate certificate that will provide focus training that will cultivate new generation workforce with the understanding of animal harvest, meat processing, food safety, and agriculture business management. Through a collaboration between the University of Guam and the College of Micronesia - FSM (COM-FSM), and the Palau Community College (to be confirmed) participating university students will have the opportunity to become active industry professionals. Three specific objectives are proposed: 1. Establish a graduate and/or undergraduate certificate- Design and implement a certificate in MPP that includes industry-approved certifications in food and employee safety and an integration component (i.e., internship or project). Students will be provided with the necessary tools to work in an existing MPP facility or establish their own business. 2. Offer a "671 Workshop Series" which will focus on providing hands-on experience for red meat processing, HACCP plan training, and Business Management. Students will gain be challenged with real word problems. 3. Offer a "Taiwan Study Tour" to allow students to visit facilities and industries and gain experience, in traveling to Taiwan's meat and poultry industry and slaughter facilities that are HACCP certified. - Student will gain insight and common challenge in the industry in a setting that is more similar to Guam or the FSM. The primary result of the project should be the generation of MPP-competent and food safety knowledgeable professionals that meet the US industry standards.