On April 17, Norco College Job Developer for Career and Technical Education Paula Barrera Partida joined the Manufacturers' Council of the Inland Empire (MCIE) and industry representatives for a facility tour of Ventura Foods in Ontario, California.
The group was welcomed by Victor Coronado from Ventura Foods’ Brea office and Andrea Hogue, senior plant director, who shared background on the company’s operations. Hogue, a mechanical engineer by training, noted that the Ontario plant opened in 2007 and includes 325,000 square feet of manufacturing space and 350,000 square feet dedicated to warehouse and distribution.
Ventura Foods operates globally with 4,000 employees, producing 4,000 SKUs and moving 3 billion pounds of product annually across 17 facilities in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Philippines. A highlight of the tour included the company's large rail yard, which accommodates 80 food-grade oil rail tank cars used for supply and distribution.
During the visit, Barrera Partida presented Norco College’s School of Applied Technologies & Apprenticeship programs to Ventura Foods leadership and other employers. She highlighted the technical talent pipeline the college is building. During the visit, she also gained insight into employment pathways available to students, particularly roles such as PLC technician, maintenance mechanic, and entry-level positions that can lead to advanced maintenance and robotics technician roles.
The visit opened doors for potential partnerships and provided valuable information to better advise students on career opportunities at Ventura Foods.