Volume 79, Issue 4

INSIDE THIS ISSUEBAKING & PASTRY ARTS SCHOLARSHIPSApply Now for 2015 WBA Scholarship

MILLENNIALS & THE BAKING INDUSTRYMaximizing the Potential of Millennials

BLUEPRINT FOR PROSPERITYInnovative School-to-Work Grants

369

Cover Photo: French Macarons

WBA Member Services Center2514 S. 102nd StreetWest Allis, WI 53227

Phone: (800) 542-2688Fax: (414) 258-5582

Email: info@wibakers.comWebsite: www.wibakers.com

BOARD OF DIRECTORS2015

Chief Executive Officer Dave Schmidt, CMB Wisconsin Bakers Association West Allis, WI (414) 258-5552

Executive Committee Interim President - David Weber Weber’s Bakery Lodi, WI (608) 592-4115Vice President - OPEN Treasurer - OPEN Allied Rep. - OPEN

Board Trustees Judy Baggenstoss Melody Cookies Oak Creek, WI (414) 762-2720Bob Hiller Rollin Pin Bakery Janesville, WI (608) 754-8267

Directors-At-Large Ken Heil Sweet Perfections Bake Shoppe Waukesha, WI (262) 446-2253Susan Bice Sweetheart Cakes Port Washington, WI (262) 284-6221 Tamara Mugerauer Tamara’s the Cake Guru Oshkosh, WI (920) 236-9144Judy Semrad Muskego Marketplace Foods Muskego, WI (262) 679-1166 Brandon Grebe Grebe’s Bakeries Milwaukee, WI (414) 543-7001

WBA Staff Debbie Lowery Wisconsin Bakers Association West Allis, WI (414) 258-5552Jessica Hoover Wisconsin Bakers Association West Allis, WI (414) 258-5552

The WBA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping members increase their baking and business knowledge, fostering the education of future bakers, keeping members informed about developments in the baking industry and legislative matters affecting them, and representing members’ interests at the state and federal government levels.

It’s That Time of Year Again…Apply now for Baking and Pastry Arts Scholarships By Jessica Hoover

May can be a very busy month for bakers as well as students getting ready to graduate from high school and planning to enter the baking/pastry arts field. Many high school seniors are likely to be overwhelmed with activities from Prom to Finals to Graduation! Before the calendar fills up, remember to apply for scholarships if you haven’t already done so.

The Wisconsin Bakers Association (WBA) is proud to offer two scholarships for students entering Baking and Pastry Arts programs. Between the two awards, more than $30,000 has been given to students since our first scholarship program began in 1984.

The WBA has a national scholarship, the Robert W. Hiller Scholarship, available

for students pursuing a degree (master’s, doctorate, associate, bachelor’s or diploma) in a baking/pastry arts-related field that prepares candidates for a retail baking profession. The WBA established the Robert W. Hiller Scholarship to support and encourage people who have demonstrated a passion for a profession in the baking/pastry arts field. A $1,000 scholarship will be awarded per academic year to the applicant who can best demonstrate this career commitment.

In addition to the R.W. Hiller Scholarship, the WBA also offers the WBA Scholarship. This is a $1,000 scholarship given annually since 1984 to Wisconsin students in the baking profession. Only Wisconsin residents can apply for the WBA Scholarship. A limited number of scholarships are available each year, and there is no deadline for the scholarship application.

The WBA offers scholarships as a way to provide financial support for the education of students who will be the future of the Baking Industry. The Scholarship Committee will review all completed applications. All scholarships given through the WBA are awarded without regard to age, sex, race, religion, marital status, national origin, handicap or sexual preference. For more information about the Robert W. Hiller Scholarship or the WBA Scholarship, email info@wibakers.com or call the WBA Member Services Center at (800) 542-2688.

If you are planning to pursue a career in Baking and Pastry Arts, consider applying for a scholarship. There is still plenty of time to submit your scholarship application before the deadline! After you’ve submitted your scholarship application, don’t forget to visit your local bakery and order a graduation cake! BB

Photo credit: Apuch from Philadelphia, USA (Graduation Cap etc.) via Wikimedia Commons

BEYOND BAKING APRIL 20153

WBA SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORM

PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE

To: WBA Education Committee

I _________________________________________, am applying for a WBA Baking Scholarship, which I understand, will

be applied toward the tuition of the baking school of my choice. I intend to apply for acceptance in the baking program at:

__________________________________________________ beginning ________________________________________ (Name of Baking School) (Semester Date)

Name:________________________________________________________Social Security No.______________________ (Last) (First) (Middle) Address: ____________________________________________________________________________________________ (Street) (City) (State) (Zip) Phone: ___________________________________________ Birth Date_________________________________________ (Area) EDUCATION: Highest Grade Dates Attended Name of High School Location Completed From________To______ 1)___________________________________________________________________________________________ 2)___________________________________________________________________________________________ 3)___________________________________________________________________________________________ (Other Schools) WORK RECORD Total Firm name Address Starting Date Hours Date Left Worked 1)__________________________________________________________________________________________ 2)__________________________________________________________________________________________ 3)__________________________________________________________________________________________

Page 1 of 2

WBA BAKING SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION Page 2

DESCRIPTION OF YOUR JOB REASON FOR LEAVING Job #1 Above____________________________________________ ___________________________________________ Job # 2 Above___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ Job # 3 Above ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ REFERENCES Name Address & Phone Business or Occupation 1)__________________________________________________________________________________________ 2)__________________________________________________________________________________________ 3)__________________________________________________________________________________________ WHY I BELIEVE THAT I DESERVE AND NEED A BAKING SCHOLARSHIP ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ The scholarship will be awarded by the WBA Education Committee on the basis of education, work experience, financial need and information furnished by your references. Signed this ______ day of ____________, 20_________ ______________________________________________ (Applicant’s Signature) INSTRUCTIONS: Mail completed application with written references to Dave Schmidt, CEO, Wisconsin Bakers Association, Inc., 2514 S. 102nd Street Suite 100, West Allis, WI 53227

Millennials and the Baking IndustryKnowing the mindset and needs of Millennials is essential to the success of any business By Nicole Haase

In 2014, it was estimated that Millennials – people born between 1980-2000 – make up 36% of the workforce. By comparison, the generation before them – the Gen Xers – comprises just 16%. By 2020, it’s expected that Millennials will be half of the workforce.

Knowing the mindset and needs of Millennial workers is essential to the success of any business. There is a need for communication and thoughtful understanding between generations. As these young people enter the workforce, they bring a new worldview. Accommodating Millennials and learning how to maximize their potential is just smart business.

Millennials know they have a reputation and that older generations look down on them as prima donnas who are lazy, narcissistic, needy and entitled. Frankly, Millennials need better PR. For the most part, that generation doesn’t want anything much different than their predecessors – they’re just more willing to speak up and ask for it. They have vocal demands as opposed to internalized desires.

Their forthrightness is an asset, not a liability. They’re a communicative generation – ask them what they need from you, how you can help them succeed and what their vision is for both their own career path and the company’s trajectory. It shouldn’t be “us versus them” when dealing with generational differences and both sides need to accept and respect that.

A bakery may want to hire a recent graduate and only see their short-term usefulness, but the student will be looking to see where they will be in a year or two or more. They want to be able to see long-term growth opportunities. The idea that they’d still be just mixing in a year’s time does not appeal to them. They want to continue to add to their skill-set in meaningful ways. They want to be engaged and motivated and they want to make a difference.

This group came into adulthood in the middle of a recession. They have unprecedented debt. They experienced how their parents missed their childhood while working excessive hours only to see it all disappear when the bubble burst. While they do need to pay their bills, they prioritize a sense

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BEYOND BAKING APRIL 20156

of accomplishment, meaningful work and personal fulfillment over their paycheck. This generation grew up with all the information they could ever need readily accessible. Managers and other upper-level talent can no longer exist primarily as gate-keepers of information. The value in management is not in sharing their knowledge, but their experience. Millennials look to managers to be mentors. Students can go online and watch tutorials on how to mix, shape and bake bread from hundreds of sources. They have unlimited access to an unstructured flow of information. Their desire for more and varied ideas is often mistaken by older generations as a being disloyal or scattered. Instead of viewing their thirst for more as a negative, foster the curiosity of these Millennial workers.

If Millennials are the largest part of the workforce, they’re also the largest part of your customer base. Your employees most know what your customers want – they are them. You have a built-in focus group of consumers who are looking to spend money. Utilize their power. As Baby Boomers retire, there is both a need to fill out the workforce and deal with the leadership gap that will emerge with too few Gen Xers to step into the role. Harness the enthusiasm, curiosity and desire of your Millennial workers and use the opportunity to help shape them into the workers that you want to have.

While the baking industry is all about embracing and utilizing centuries old ideas and techniques, we’re doing them in a modern way. We’re smarter about the science, we use the best, most effective equipment and technology. If we’re willing to adapt to the changing times in terms of knowledge, tools and ingredients, why aren’t we willing to do so with our employees? With the return of artisanal baking comes the need for dedicated, experienced employees, but it’s important to remember that there are few opportunities to gain that specialized experience. Recent culinary graduates are willing to work hard, but dislike the concept of “paying your dues” as the main path to advancement simply because that’s how the older generation had to do it. They are aware of their skills and are eager to put them to use. Stifling that and having disdain for their eagerness is to a company’s detriment. No employee, whether they have 10 days or 10 years of experience, will be exactly what you need them to be when you hire them. Each new hire has to learn the ways of your bakery and the specific details that help you to operate smoothly and efficiently. The Millennials that are graduating culinary school come to you with a fantastic knowledge base and are eager to learn the rest - you only have to be willing to train them.

Don’t be reluctant to re-define. Millennials are the predominant members of the workforce, so maybe it’s not them doing things wrong. Perhaps we need to become flexible in understanding what they bring to the table. Don’t be stuck on the process or “that’s how we’ve always done it” – you’ll lose valuable young talent who aren’t afraid to find a place that is willing to consider their feedback and not force them into narrow ideas of right and wrong in the workplace. Remember that the end results are important, not necessarily the formal process of how they’re achieved. BB

BEYOND BAKING APRIL 20157

Blueprint for Prosperity: DWD Secretary Announces Intent to Award $2.5 Million for Second Round of Innovative School-to-Work GrantsPress release by State of Wisconsin DWD

Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Reggie Newson announced DWD’s intent to award 45 grants totaling $2.5 million to develop or expand employer-driven training programs that prepare high school pupils for workforce or post-secondary education success in high-demand fields. Grant funding will train up to 1,102 high school students and could involve employment at up to 250 employers.

“Governor Walker’s Wisconsin Fast Forward – Blueprint for Prosperity High School Pupil grant program is addressing the skills gap while strengthening career and technical education in our state,” says Secretary Newson. “This second round of grant awards will help develop a young and ready-to-work pipeline of skilled workers with the industry training and certifications required by Wisconsin employers.”

DWD issued a Grant Program Announcement (GPA) in December 2014 for up to $3 million in potential awards for high school pupil working training programs that include work-based learning, apprenticeship preparation and dual credit models. Intent to award projects ensure that graduates gain industry-recognized certifications from the 2013 Wisconsin Act 59 approved list and receive job placement opportunities in high-demand fields.

Governor Walker’s Wisconsin Fast Forward program was quickly approved in 2013 with overwhelming bipartisan support to address the skills gap through a $15 million investment in grants to employers for customized skills training to fill current job openings and ongoing skill requirements. The program is administered by the OSD, which has developed an effective process that enables businesses to easily apply for grants.

In March 2014, Governor Walker signed legislation under his Blueprint for Prosperity initiative to invest an additional $35.4 million in the Wisconsin Fast Forward program to reduce technical college wait lists in high- demand fields, enhance employment opportunities for persons with disabilities and support collaborative school- to-work projects. The first round of High School Pupil Worker Training grants funded 30 projects to train and employ 949 high school students.

Department of Workforce DevelopmentSecretary's Office201 East Washington AvenueP.O. Box 7946Madison, WI 53707-7946Telephone: (608) 266-3131Fax: (608) 266-1784Email: sec@dwd.wisconsin.gov

Scott Walker, GovernorReginald J. Newson, Secretary

SEC-7792-E (R. 10/25/2011) http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, April 2, 2015CONTACT: DWD Communications, 608-266-2722 On the Web: http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/dwd/news.htmOn Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WIWorkforceOn Twitter: @WIWorkforce

Blueprint for Prosperity: DWD Secretary Announces Intent to Award $2.5 Million for Second Round of Innovative School-to-Work Grants

MADISON – Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Reggie Newson today announced DWD's intent to award 45 grants totaling $2.5 million to develop or expand employer-driven training programs that prepare high school pupils for workforce or post-secondary education success in high-demand fields. Grant funding will train up to 1,102 high school students and could involve employment at up to 250employers.

"Governor Walker's Wisconsin Fast Forward – Blueprint for Prosperity High School Pupil grant program is addressing the skills gap while strengthening career and technical education in our state," says Secretary Newson. "This second round of grant awards will help develop a young and ready-to-work pipeline of skilled workers with the industry training and certifications required by Wisconsin employers."

DWD issued a Grant Program Announcement (GPA) in December 2014 for up to $3 million in potential awards for high school pupil working training programs that include work-based learning, apprenticeship preparation and dual credit models. Intent to award projects ensure that graduates gain industry-recognized certifications from the2013 Wisconsin Act 59 approved list and receive job placement opportunities in high-demand fields.

Governor Walker's Wisconsin Fast Forward program was quickly approved in 2013 with overwhelming bipartisan support to address the skills gap through a $15 million investment in grants to employers for customized skills training to fill current job openings and ongoing skill requirements. The program is administered by the OSD, which has developed an effective process that enables businesses to easily apply for grants.

In March 2014, Governor Walker signed legislation under his Blueprint for Prosperity initiative to invest an additional $35.4 million in the Wisconsin Fast Forward program to reduce technical college wait lists in high-demand fields, enhance employment opportunities for persons with disabilities and support collaborative school-to-work projects. The first round of High School Pupil Worker Training grants funded 30 projects to train and employ 949 high school students.

(more)

2015 Wisconsin Fast Forward – Blueprint for Prosperity High School Pupil Intent to Award Grants

Applicant Counties Impacted Intent to Award

Lakeshore Technical College Manitowoc, Sheboygan, Calumet $20,455Lakeshore Technical College Manitowoc, Sheboygan, Calumet $11,932Lakeshore Technical College Manitowoc, Sheboygan, Calumet $14,528Lakeshore Technical College Manitowoc, Sheboygan, Calumet $8,036Lakeshore Technical College Manitowoc, Sheboygan, $20,547Metal Era Waukesha, Ozaukee, Milwaukee $108,673

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BEYOND BAKING APRIL 20159

April 2, 2015

Trace-A-Matic Waukesha, Milwaukee $118,287CL&D Graphics Waukesha, Milwaukee $141,528Wisconsin Bakers Association Milwaukee, Waukesha $75,865Fond du Lac Area Association of Commerce Fond du Lac, Dodge $43,240Fond du Lac Area Association of Commerce Fond du Lac, Dodge, $42,696Asset Builders of America, Inc. Dane, Racine, Milwaukee $45,150CESA 2 Walworth, Dane, Jefferson $52,810Algoma High School - Algoma School District Kewaunee, Brown $26,134*Community Career Connections, Inc. Milwaukee, Waukesha $149,000Southwest Technical College Grant, Crawford $13,660Sparta Area School District Monroe, La Crosse $75,036Baraboo School District Sauk $58,747Workforce Resource Inc. Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire $127,777Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board Milwaukee, Sauk $56,152Chippewa Valley Council, Boy Scouts of America Eau Claire, Chippewa $41,932Oak Creek Franklin Joint School District Milwaukee, Waukesha $47,000Northcentral Technical College Marathon, Lincoln, Langlade, Shawano $149,806Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College Washburn, St. Croix, Polk $96,631School District of New Holstein Calumet, Fond du Lac $16,570Milwaukee Public Schools Milwaukee $60,637

Fox Valley Technical CollegeOutagamie, Winnebago, Waupaca, Waushara $53,779

Madison Area Technical College Dane, Columbia, Milwaukee, Sauk, Walworth $66,219Florence County School District Florence, Oneida, Marinette $45,372Wisconsin Restaurant Association Dane, Milwaukee $4,310School District of Mishicot Manitowoc, Brown $71,081

CESA 6Winnebago, Calumet, Outagamie, Fond du Lac $55,162

CESA 6 Winnebago, Outagamie, Waupaca $19,188

CESA 6Winnebago, Outagamie, Fond du Lac, Waupaca $69,300

School District of West Salem La Crosse, Monroe $20,022Gateway Technical College Kenosha, Walworth, Jefferson $72,826Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools Wood, Portage $33,555Spooner Machine, Inc. Washburn, Burnett $14,200School District of Beloit Rock $23,362School District of New Berlin Waukesha $36,600School District of New Berlin Waukesha $14,675School District of New Berlin Waukesha $46,445Algoma School District Kewaunee $31,447

GPS Education Partners

Waukesha, Milwaukee, Winnebago, Brown, Marinette, Ozaukee, Washington, Walworth, Outagamie, Racine, Marinette, Kenosha $142,718

Milwaukee Public Schools Milwaukee $82,083TOTAL $2,525,173*

* Rounded to the nearest whole dollar.A summary of each award is available online.

###A summary of each award is available online. BB

BEYOND BAKING APRIL 201510

Upcoming Dessert Holidays May is National Strawberry Month

Celebrate World Baking Day May 19th

May 1: National Chocolate Parfait Day

May 2: National Truffles Day

May 3: National Raspberry Tart Day

May 4: National Candied Orange Peel Day

May 5: National Chocolate Custard Day

May 5: Cinco de Mayo

May 5: National Hoagie Day

May 8 National Coconut Cream Pie Day

May 9: National Butterscotch Brownie Day

May 11: Eat What You Want Day

May 12: National Nutty Fudge Day

May 13 National Apple Pie Day

May 15: National Chocolate Chip Day

May 17: National Cherry Cobbler Day

May 18: National Cheese Soufflé Day

May 19: National Devil’s Food Cake Day

May 21: National Strawberries & Cream Day

May 22: National Vanilla Pudding Day

May 26: National Blueberry Cheesecake Day

May 26: National Cherry Dessert Day

May 31: National Macaroon Day

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Carol Carey(414) 321-5129

BeneCo of Wisconsin, Inc.Steve Miller

(262) 207-1999 Central Office Systems

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Financial Specialists, Inc.Charlie Popple

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Ken Harder(920) 731-5211, ext. 250

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Bob Morris(763) 571-6677 Practical Baker

John Stricker(815) 943-6040

WBA Credit Card ProgramJohn Gay

(800) 767-2484, ext. 54587 West Bend Mutual Insurance

David Nycz(262) 334-5571

Wisconsin Bakers Association2514 S. 102nd St., Suite 100

West Allis, WI 53227Phone: (414) 258-5552 (800) 542-2688 Fax: (414) 258-5582

info@wibakers.comwww.wibakers.com

Editorial Staff

Publisher

Editor

Dave Schmidt, CMBdave@wibakers.com

Jessica Hooverjessica@wibakers.com

Copyright © 2015 Wisconsin Bakers Association, Inc.All rights reserved. Duplications prohibited in whole orpart in any medium without prior consent from the publisher/editor.