Workforce Training

ABA's Bakers Manufacturing Academy's best-in-class training solutions provide industry-specific, technical education for bakery production employees whether they are new to the profession or are growing in their career.

Academy Portal

ON-DEMAND TRAINING FOR BAKING PROFESSIONALS

The Bakers Manufacturing Academy's online training offers a variety of courses for all knowledge and experience levels. Through the Academy, companies have an effective, convenient, and affordable way to enhance workforce training and development.

Written and developed by baking industry experts, the online learning portal offers students dynamic, interactive instruction, and offers training managers simple student registration, documentation, and progress.

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MEETING CRITICAL TRAINING NEEDS OF THE BAKING INDUSTRY

800K

baking industry employees

78%

of companies are highly/severely concerned about skilled production employees

80%

of new hires and promotable employees lack baking industry specific technical skills

89%

of ABA Members have difficulties identifying talent pools for hourly, skilled production positions

2016 ABA WORKFORCE SKILLS GAP STUDY

BEGINNER TRAINING

Economical training solutions reduce in-bakery onboarding time for new hires, department transfers, and cross-trained employees.

Beginner Training

“

I really enjoyed Baking Basics 101, even as a small operation bakery, not a large production bakery. It was extremely useful to understand these things.

Paul Montador

Head Chef and Head Baker

The Scotsman's Kitchen & Bakery

Bread Quality Course *NEW in 2023*

This in-depth course, available in both English and Spanish, provides students with an understanding of the tests and evaluation processes used to ensure the quality and consistency of white pan bread products.

Time investment

4-5 total hours, up to 6 weeks to finish

Lessons include

Introduction to Quality, Flour Quality Testing, Dough Rheological Properties of Flour, pH & TTA, Finished Product Evaluation, Finished Product Faults, Finished Product Tests

Benefits at a Glance

This course is available in English and Spanish and provides an in-depth understanding of the tests and evaluation processes used to ensure the quality and consistency of white pan bread products.
The course covers tests conducted on flour, including those listed on the Flour Certificate of Analysis (COA), and those used to determine the rheological properties of flour.
It also covers the process and forms used to conduct finished product evaluation and common faults seen in pan breads.

Pricing

ABA Baker/International Member, ABA Allied Member, and Non-Member pricing available. Pricing details here.

Important Links

Bakers Manufacturing Academy Portal

Facility Enrollment Form

More details about Bread Quality Course

Baking Basics 101

Fundamental knowledge for all employees new to working in any baking facility.

Time investment

1 hour total, up to 2 weeks to finish

Lessons include

Workplace Safety, Food Safety and Hygiene, Technical Training

Benefits at a Glance

Baking companies retain employees and prevent bad batches through specialized, on-demand training
Students/employees receive dynamic, interactive, baking-specific training
Training managers receive simple student registration, documentation, and progress

Pricing

ABA Member and Non-Member pricing available. Pricing details here.

Important Links

Bakers Manufacturing Academy Portal

Facility Enrollment Form

More details about Baking Basics 101

Cookie and Cracker Entry-Level Training

Foundational knowledge in English and Spanish for all employees new to cookie and cracker plant operations.

Time investment

4-5 total hours, up to 6 weeks to finish

Lessons include

Ingredients, Mixing, Forming, Baking

Benefits at a Glance

Baking companies retain employees and prevent bad batches through specialized, on-demand training
Students/employees receive dynamic, interactive, baking-specific training
Training managers receive simple student registration, documentation, and progress

Pricing

ABA Baker/International Member, ABA Allied Member, and Non-Member pricing available. Pricing details here.

Important Links

Bakers Manufacturing Academy Portal

Facility Enrollment Form

More details about Cookie and Cracker Entry-Level Training

“

We have seen a dramatic decrease in mistakes/bad batches while using ABA's Cookie and Cracker Entry-Level Training. The cost associated with the training for employees vs. some bad batches is a no-brainer.

Bob Krischel

Production Manager

Hearthside Food Solutions

SPECIALIZED TRAINING

An extension of fundamental knowledge, training programs establish employees as experts of specific operations in baking facilities.

SPECIALIZED TRAINING

Specialized Training

Focused lessons include important information for specific baking manufacturing

...Such as equipment overviews, pre-operation checks, safety and sanitation, and key process conversions.

Time investment

4-5 total hours, up to 6 weeks to finish

Courses include

Wire Cut, Rotary Molder, Sandwiching, Sheeting and Laminating, Tortilla Course, Variety Hearth Bread, Hamburger/Hotdog Buns

Benefits at a Glance

Baking companies retain employees and prevent bad batches through specialized, on-demand training
Students/employees receive dynamic, interactive, baking-specific training
Training managers receive simple student registration, documentation, and progress

Pricing

ABA Member and Non-Member pricing available. Pricing details here.

Important Links

Facility Enrollment Form

More details about Specialized Training

“

The lesson was very informative and easy to understand. I have learned a lot and will be applying the new knowledge to my job. I would recommend that all the departments in the baking industry would seize this opportunity for the development of themselves and their company.

Kenroy Johnson

Oven Captain

Dare Foods LTD

ADVANCED TRAINING

Graduate-level and advanced coursework establishes plant employees as in-house experts in the highly precise process of manufacturing baked goods that drives successful operations.

ADVANCED TRAINING

Bread Manufacturing Course *NEW in 2022*

Training for the most common dough systems for white pan bread

The Bread Manufacturing Course, available in English and Spanish, focuses on the steps to manufacture pan bread, using a sponge and dough system, the most common dough system for white pan bread.

Time investment

8 hours, up to six weeks to finish

Lessons include

Scaling ingredients, mixing, and fermentation

Benefits at a glance

Baking companies retain employees and prevent bad batches through specialized, on-demand training
Students/employees receive dynamic, interactive, baking-specific training
Training managers receive simple student registration, documentation, and progress

Pricing

ABA Baker/International Member, ABA Allied Member, and Non-Member pricing available. Find out more information here.

Cookie and Cracker Manufacturing Course

The baking industry’s gold standard

Graduates of the program will possess the technical knowledge, and best practice information necessary to supervise a cookie and/or cracker bakery shift, department, or facility.

Time investment

1-2 years, up to 2 years to finish

Benefits at a Glance

Baking companies retain high-performing employees and prevent bad batches through specialized, on-demand training
Students/employees receive graduate-level dynamic, interactive, baking-specific education
Training managers receive simple student registration, documentation, and progress

Resources include

ABA Technical Advisor mentor, course manager, two textbooks, workbook, and supervisor manual. Yearly award for top two graduates.

Pricing

ABA Member and Non-Member pricing available. Find out pricing details here.

Important Links

Student Enrollment Form

More details about the Cookie and Cracker Manufacturing Course

“

The Cookie & Cracker Manufacturing Course was very detailed yet easy to understand. The course really helps me to relate to my customers' processes and allows me to have meaningful discussions with my customers.

Eu Keong Low

Region Sales Manager

Reading Bakery System

“

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time studying with ABA and I feel more confident in my abilities due to the valuable insight I have gained into the baking industry. I am confident this knowledge will continue to be beneficial to me in the future.

Prasad K.

Asst. Bakery Manager

Stonefield

In-Facility Training

This highly-focused training program customizes the curriculum for a facility's specific needs.

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ACADEMY COMMUNITY

The baking industry is one of the strongest communities in the food manufacturing sector. Upon completion of any Bakers Manufacturing Academy program, graduates are encouraged to connect on the exclusive LinkedIn alumni group.

See what alumni in the baking field have accomplished since graduation and expand sense of what is possible
Identify alumni in the baking industry and reach out for their industry expertise
Learn about opportunities and mentoring partnerships

JOIN THE COMMUNITY

How to Enroll

The Academy sign-up process differs based on whether you are an individual learner or represent other learners at a baking facility or a bakery. Here's how to sign up.

Enrollment Information