Agropur proud to join the second Academos coalition to keep kids in school

Montreal, February 14, 2017

Agropur announced today that it will be part of the second edition of the Coalition pour la persévérance scolaire (hooked on school coalition) spearheaded by Quebec social network Academos. The Coalition will bring together over 30 businesses and organizations to expand and diversify the pool of Academos mentors available to help Quebec youth prepare to join the workforce.

Agropur will recruit employees to volunteer as mentors and introduce young people to the agri-food industry, a move that should help meet the industry’s growing need for new workers. “Agropur believes wholeheartedly in the importance of encouraging the next generation and supporting budding talent,” said Dominique Benoit, Agropur’s Senior Vice-President, Institutional Affairs and Communications. “As the largest dairy co-op in Canada, we are happy to have our members share their passion on the Academos platform and help young people find their dream jobs. Quebec has a particularly innovative agrifood sector, with a wide range of exciting career opportunities.”

Agropur will welcome the Academos team to Saint-Hubert on February 15. At a lunchtime information session hosted by Academos, Agropur employees will be able to find out more about the organization’s e-mentoring model.

In addition, from February 13–17, all of Quebec stands together to promote the academic success of our young people as part of Hooked on School Days. “One in four students reaches age 20 without a high school diploma, and one in three drops out,” noted Lyne Maurier, Executive Director of Academos. “There’s no question that academic success is a major issue facing our society today. Organizations like Agropur understand what’s at stake. That’s why they’re joining us as partners for the second edition of the Coalition.”

About Agropur

Agropur Cooperative is a North American dairy industry leader founded in 1938. With sales of nearly $6.0 billion in 2016, the Cooperative is a source of pride to its 3,345 members and 8,000 employees. Agropur processes more than 5.9 billion litres of milk per year at its 39 plants across North America and boasts an impressive roster of brands and products including Natrel, Québon, OKA, Farmers, Agropur Signature, Agropur Grand Cheddar, Island Farms, BiPro, and the Ultima Foods joint venture’s iögo and Olympic brands.

About Academos

Academos is a social network that helps youths aged 14–30 discover the world of work and plan their professional future in order to build a better-educated, more qualified and prosperous society. A non-profit founded in 1999 and funded by the Quebec government’s Secrétariat à la jeunesse, Academos encourages youth to stay in school and facilitates career planning. The organization also receives funding from private sector partners including Alcoa, ArcelorMittal, the Ordre des comptables professionnels agréés du Québec, the Desjardins Foundation, LaSalle College, Pros de l’assurance, Agropur, belairdirect, Ubisoft and Investissement Québec. academos.qc.ca

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Source:

Véronique Boileau

Vice-President, Communications

Agropur Cooperative

450 878-1844