Cookie and Cracker Entry-Level Training

Upon successful completion of the four to five-hour-long course, bakery employees will have basic knowledge on several topics including:

• Ingredients – The importance of the storage, usage, and details of the many ingredients used in cookie and cracker manufacturing  
• Mixing – How temperature, time, and other mixing variables impact ingredients
• Forming –  When mixed ingredients are formed into three basic categories of baking products
• Baking – Describe the baking process, different types of ovens, and oven operations

IN UP TO SIX WEEKS OF ONLINE INSTRUCTION, EMPLOYEES WILL LEARN THE FUNDAMENTALS OF COOKIE AND CRACKER MANUFACTURING.

The Cookie and Cracker Entry-Level Training course includes interactive exercises, videos and photos, a glossary of terms, multiple-choice tests, student activity tracking, and a certificate of completion. 

• Teaches the fundamentals in four lessons – Ingredients, Mixing, Forming, and Baking 

• Lessons available in English and Spanish 

• Designed for new hires or department transfers 

• Excellent resource for cross-training 

• Several hours of work applicable information 

The Cookie and Cracker Entry-Level Training course includes interactive exercises, videos and photos, a glossary of terms, multiple-choice tests, student activity tracking, and a certificate of completion.

Course modules are written by baking industry experts exclusively for ABA's Bakers Manufacturing Academy

The Cookie and Cracker Entry-Level Training course includes interactive exercises, videos and photos, a glossary of terms, multiple-choice tests, student activity tracking, and a certificate of completion.

Module 1: Ingredients 

1. Why specific ingredients are essential to cookie and cracker manufacturer
2. How ingredients are used to make machinable dough that bakes well
3. How ingredients are stored
4. How ingredient assembly affects product consistency and traceability
5. The importance of proper ingredient weighing
6. Why ingredients and their amounts should not vary from Mixing Sheet specifications
7. What production problems occur when the wrong amount of an ingredient is used
8. The importance of using the correct ingredient variation

Module 2: Mixing 

1. Mixing preparation
2. Different mixing styles
3. The importance of mixing speeds and dough temperature
4. Laytime and its effect on dough
5. The results of deviating from the mixing sheet
6. The uses of various mixers

Module 3: Forming

1. The three basic categories of baking products
2. The processes for forming different baking goods
3. Basic forming machines
4. General dough consistencies for each machine
5. Effects of improper forming
6. You will also be able to describe basic set-up and operation procedures and understand the related safety issues.

Module 4: Baking 

1. Describe the three types of heat transfer
2. Describe the three stages of the baking process
3. Identify the four main classifications of ovens
4. Identify the different types of oven bands and their uses
5. Identify correct oven set-up procedures
6. Describe operation procedures
7. Identify the causes and effects of improper baking

ACCESS THE COURSE THROUGH THE EASY-TO-USE BAKERS MANUFACTURING ACADEMY PORTAL.

Course Enrollment Information: 

• Completion Time: Four to five hours
• Enrollment period: Six weeks 
• Resource guide with comprehensive Glossary of Terms printout available 
• Final Test: Students must score 100% in all four module final tests to complete the course successfully   

ABA Baker Members: $150  

ABA Allied Members: $250  

Non-Member: $300  

Become an ABA Member

How to Enroll

Plant managers can enroll employees within the Bakers Manufacturing Academy Portal. 

Enroll facilities here

The flexibility of the Bakers Manufacturing Academy allows entire corporations to individual facilities determine which programs work best for their employee training goals.

STEP 1

Before an individual facility can begin enrolling employees into entry-level or specialized training programs, companies must fill out a Facility Enrollment Form. Each plant within a company must fill out the form. 

If a company is integrating the Bakers Manufacturing Academy into its training programs enterprise-wide, please contact Academy Staff.

STEP 2

Within one business day, staff from the Bakers Manufacturing Academy will set up a company and facility profile within the Academy portal. All administrators will be contacted once their facility profile is enabled.

THIRD STEP

Once the facility profile is activated, plant administrators will receive instructions and may begin enrolling employees. Staff from the Bakers Manufacturing Academy will be available to offer customer support every step of the way.

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