OVERLAND PARK, KS — As labor shortages and skill gaps remain in the baking industry, bakery manufacturers and their supplier companies cannot afford to ignore potential solutions. With this in mind, BEMA is partnering with Arizona State University (ASU) to address these pressing issues.
Recognized by US News & World Report as a top school for innovation, ASU is actively addressing the workforce need though its AZNext Program. The multi-prong approach of AZNext amplifies curriculum for industry-bound students, leads efforts to upskill and reskill the workforce, and assists companies in training their own new labor pools.
As part of BEMA’s annual convention, taking place June 20-24 in Bluffton, SC, the association will host Workforce Wednesday, a virtual component, on June 21. ASU leadership will provide insight during three workforce-related sessions throughout the day.
“Partnering with ASU allows Workforce Wednesday participants the ability to tap into the insights of strong workforce development initiatives delivered by faculty from a top-tier institution,” said Emily Bowers, BEMA’s VP of education and operations. “Such a collaboration will offer participants new methods of addressing the need for an active and sustainable workforce today and in the future.”
Session topics include:
Key Sustainability Issues for Bakery Products and Equipment: This session addresses the environmental and social hotspots associated with bakery products and equipment. The discussion will highlight indicators used by CPG companies and retailers to measure sustainability performance.
Digital Twin and Industrial Internet of Things — A Technical and Business Discussion: This course that drills into IoT-related themes, including project development and workstreams.
AZNext and Workforce Development Opportunities: Here, participants will learn how to directly address talent gaps, reduce training costs and enhance or add value for employees.
BEMA’s Workforce Wednesday is designed to create interactive professional development opportunities for BEMA members and other baking industry professionals who are not able to attend the convention in-person. The program provides attendees with actionable skills that can be applied immediately to their daily work.
Each session, hosted by BEMA staff, lasts 50 minutes and is accessible anywhere with a Wi-FI connection. Workforce Wednesday is a component of BEMA Convention Workforce Edition, which also includes access to BEMA Live June 22-23. Workforce Edition is included with a full onsite convention registration and can also be purchased individually.
For more information and to register, visit BEMA’s website.
