A RIPE OPPORTUNITY FOR GROWTH
Okanagan Specialty Fruits (OSF), a 25 year old company, officially opened its first Apple Slicing Facility in Moses Lake in September 2023. This was the company’s first food processing facility, which was a significant undertaking as they had to build from the ground up, including ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations, and building their workforce through hiring and upskilling employees.
“We were faced with hiring a high volume of people,” shared Alicia Devereux, Human Resource & Administration Manager, OSF. “Knowing SkillSource could support us in being able to hire individuals that were a culture, values, and experience fit for our company, and then being a training resource to upskill those individuals to meet the needs of the organization was a huge asset in our recruiting strategies.”
Pedro Barreras, Jr., was employed as a Health and Safety Coordinator with OSF. Pedro wanted to grow professionally, to acquire new skills so he could take on more responsibility with the company. OSF worked with SkillSource to set up an Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) agreement for Pedro so he could get on a track to gain those essential skills for his growth, and to meet the human resource needs of the company.
Pedro aimed to obtain his Certified Safety Manager (CSM) certificate from the National Association of Safety Professionals, a rigorous 40-hour course. Through the IWT agreement, SkillSource shared the cost of the training, an investment that paid off for Okanagan Speciality Fruits, and for Pedro. Pedro successfully finished the CSM certification in October 2024. This led directly to his promotion to Health and Safety Manager in January 2025, and a bump in pay and benefits!
Pedro’s journey demonstrates how OSF’s commitment to employee development, combined with SkillSource’s workforce development resources, cultivates success. By investing in local talent and upskilling employees, OSF not only strengthens its own workforce but also contributes to the economic growth of the Moses Lake community. This is the power of partnerships, and the impact of thoughtful investments on training and developing local talent. Congratulations to Pedro and Okanagan Specialty Fruits!
