If you’re leading a team in Alberta’s food and beverage sector, you know the challenges. High staff turnover combined with labour shortages. These factors are constant pressures for keeping operations running smoothly while finding and retaining good people.
There’s a promising opportunity that could help.
Training focused on welcoming workplaces for newcomer young adults
PolicyWise for Children & Families and their partners are developing training materials specifically for Alberta food and beverage leaders, including owners, operators, supervisors, managers, and executive chefs. The training focuses on building welcoming workplaces that attract and retain a growing demographic, newcomer young adults.
Newcomer young adults are people aged 18 to 29 who arrived in Canada within the past five years. Many are looking for work in Alberta’s food and beverage sector and bring energy, skills, and commitment to their roles. But they often face barriers to finding and keeping employment.
The training being developed addresses the challenges faced by the sector and newcomer young adults. It will help food and beverage leaders create workplaces where newcomer young adults can thrive, while also helping these leaders build more stable teams.
Help shape training that works in your workplace
This is where experience matters. PolicyWise is inviting Alberta food and beverage leaders to join them for one of their 1.5-hour virtual engagement sessions. These sessions give these leaders a chance to review and shape the training materials being developed so they are effective in high-paced food and beverage environments.
Whether you’re a restaurant owner, hotel manager, executive chef, supervisor, or operator, your real-world knowledge is essential to making this training practical and useful.
What you'll gain from participating
Early access to training materials. See the resources being developed and provide input while they’re still taking shape.
A space to share what’s working. Tell us about your successes and challenges in working with newcomer young adults. Your real-world experience will make the training more useful for everyone.
Training that fits your reality. Help ensure the program works in fast-paced food and beverage workplaces.
Whether you’re a restaurant owner, hotel manager, executive chef, supervisor, or operator, your real-world knowledge is essential to making this training practical and useful.
Why your voice matters
This training is being co-created with people who understand the sector. PolicyWise is working with Alberta food and beverage leaders, industry associations, settlement and employment agencies, and newcomers with sector experience. Your expertise, as food and beverage leaders, will help shape resources that address real staffing challenges while helping newcomer young adults succeed.
This is part of PolicyWise’s Building Inclusive Workplaces project, which aims to strengthen Alberta’s food and beverage sector by creating more inclusive work environments. PolicyWise is an Alberta organization that connects evidence to action, supporting policies and programs that improve outcomes for children, families, and communities.
Who should join these virtual engagement sessions?
By joining our Youth Advisory Group, gender-diverse youth will:
- Make a real impact for youth across Alberta
- Build leadership and advocacy skills
- Add volunteer experience to their resume
- Receive a $50 honorarium per meeting, up to $300
- Connect with other Two-Spirit, trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse youth who care about change
How to apply and support the Youth Advisory Group
These sessions are for Alberta food and beverage leaders, including:
- Owners and operators
- Supervisors and managers
- Executive chefs
- Anyone who hires, trains, or leads teams in the sector
How to register
Registering is simple and free. Fill out the form found here or get a copy by emailing info@policywise.com.
Registration deadline: March 18, 2026
Each session runs 1.5 hours and is held online, making it easy to participate from anywhere in Alberta.
The impact on Alberta's food & beverage sector
By participating, you’re helping create resources that benefit the entire industry. The training will help reduce employee turnover, build stronger teams, and support newcomer young adults in building successful careers.
Your expertise as an Alberta food and beverage leader can help create training that makes a real difference in your workplace and across the sector.
Ready to join?
To reserve your spot, complete the registration form here found here or get a copy by emailing info@policywise.com.
For more information about the Building Inclusive Workplaces project, visit: policywise.com/building-inclusive-workplaces.
Project Funders
The Government of Alberta is working in partnership with the Government of Canada to provide employment support programs and services.
