Industry News

ABA to recruit next generation of baking talent

The collaboration aims to position the baking sector as a destination workplace.

ABA, CAPS Network recruit next generation of baking talent — Photo: Tim Douglas/Pexels

The American Bakers Association (ABA) has announced a collaboration with the CAPS Network, Inc. (Center for Advanced Professional Studies), marking a significant advancement in ABA’s workforce development mission, it says. The new initiative will provide ABA and the commercial baking industry with dedicated expertise from CAPS Network’s Business and Industry Director Nate Clayberg to inspire high school students to pursue careers in the industry and position the baking sector as a destination workplace for emerging talent.

In this role, Clayberg will provide strategic guidance to support the development of youth-centric content, equip employers with best practices for attracting and retaining the next generation of talent, and serve as a liaison between ABA and school networks. The initiative will significantly enhance ABA’s student engagement strategies and bolster the impact of BakingWorks.org, a hub for the exploration of baking industry careers, it says.

“This collaboration is a natural next step in ABA’s Strategic Plan to establish the commercial baking industry as a destination workplace and reflects the association’s unwavering commitment to shaping the future of the baking workforce,” says ABA President and CEO Eric Dell. “With Nate’s expertise and CAPS’ national network, we are building the groundwork for sustainable talent pipelines and showing students that baking is a purpose-driven career built on community, innovation and opportunity.”

The CAPS Network is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit in profession-based education and brings experience in connecting high school students with real-world career opportunities. The CAPS Network approach aligns with ABA’s goal to promote baking industry career opportunities through student-friendly storytelling and employer training that equips ABA members to effectively engage next-generation talent.

“The commercial baking industry has a powerful story to tell,” says Clayberg. “CAPS is excited to help share that story with students and educators and to build bridges between education and meaningful employment.”

For more information, visit americanbakers.org and bakingworks.org. To learn more about the CAPS Network and profession-based learning, visit yourcapsnetwork.org and experience.work.