The Equitable Food Initiative has extended its Facilitation 101 and 102 courses to the entire fresh produce industry, providing attendees with tools to foster a more productive and inclusive work environment, according to a news release.
The Ethical Charter on Responsible Labor Practices outlines 13 guiding principles, ensuring that workers throughout the produce industry are treated with dignity and respect. One of its key principles emphasizes the importance of direct communication between management and employees as the most effective way to resolve workplace issues.
“As companies work to bring the Ethical Charter off paper and into practice, these courses offer a steppingstone to creating a highly trained and engaged workforce,” said EFI Product Marketing Manager Madelyn Edlin.
Previously offered exclusively to EFI-certified farming operations, the expansion presents a professional development opportunity for suppliers and growers, with benefits that will positively impact the entire supply chain, the release said.
“Fresh produce requires skilled workers, and EFI provides webinars, courses, seminars and trainings that help organizations build more capacity and skills within their workforce and drive efficiency and productivity,” Edlin said.
EFI says the courses, Facilitation 101 and 102, lay the groundwork for creating dynamic, inclusive learning environments, and participants will develop essential facilitation techniques such as:
- Adult learning foundations — Understanding adult learning principles and creating learner-centered environments that promote active participation.
- Practical facilitation skills — Techniques for collaboration, critical thinking, effective communication strategies and using technology effectively in training sessions.
- Diversity and inclusion — Building environments that respect diverse learning needs and foster a sense of belonging.
- Continuous improvement — Participants will leave with a toolkit of facilitation strategies suited to different educational settings.
Through interactive sessions, participants will engage in real-world scenarios to practice facilitation skills and receive personalized feedback, according to EFI.
For those interested in pursuing or learning more about EFI certification, the facilitation courses provide an entry point to the program, according to the release. While Facilitation 101 builds skills around collaborative learning and communication, Facilitation 102 focuses on EFI’s core curriculum, leadership development and trainer responsibilities.
Upon completion of both courses, the attendee is an official EFI internal trainer, positioning them to co-train future worker-manager collaborative teams with the help of EFI facilitators; this also enables refresher trainings to be conducted in-house, creating cost savings and a streamlined approach to EFI certification, the release said.
EFI said participants will:
- Strengthen alignment with the Ethical Charter — Address the principle for communication and worker protection that outlines a worker’s right and responsibility to voice questions, report in good faith any improper or wrongful activity and discuss opportunities and/or grievances.
- Develop advanced facilitation skills — Learn techniques to engage adult learners, enhance participation and create interactive learning environments. Receive valuable real-time feedback on one’s facilitation style, helping refine and improve skills.
- Boost productivity and quality — A highly trained, engaged workforce drives efficiency, productivity and product quality.
- Start the journey toward EFI certification — The facilitation courses are an excellent introduction to the EFI certification process. Become an EFI internal trainer by completing Facilitation 101 and 102 and reduce costs when training future worker-manager collaborative teams.
EFI said the courses are ideal for any organization looking to improve its communication, teamwork, conflict resolution and leadership skills. By investing in these skills, organizations and their registered participants will leave with a toolkit of facilitation strategies tailored to various educational settings.
Registration for Facilitation 101 closes on Oct. 29. Details are available through EFI course webpage.
EFI is a workforce development and certification organization that partners with growers, farmworkers, retailers and consumer groups.
