The Biscuit, Cake, Chocolate and Confectionery Alliance

The BCCCA is a trade association representing one of the UK food industry's largest sectors. The great majority of UK companies manufacturing “Alliance products” are members. It has been estimated that something like 90% of all biscuit, chocolate and sugar confectionery products made in the UK are the products of BCCCA members, and the UK market for those products was worth an estimated £7.1 billion in 1999.

The BCCCA is committed to the development of people within the industry. Since 1997, the training arm of the BCCCA has been a supportive member of the Food and Drink National Training Organisation. The Alliance offers a comprehensive training service geared to the requirements of the biscuit, cake, chocolate and confectionery industries. In particular:

CABATEC an award winning series of video-based, self-study packages in the industry's technology TiFMO: a computer software package designed to help companies to write effective training manuals, linked to the requirements of the Food and Drink Manufacturing Operations N/SVQs Conferences: major national events on manufacturing management and the latest technical developments Courses: information about courses run especially for our industry, organised by ourselves and by other organisations N/SVQs: provides information and support for the National Vocational Qualifications (SVQs in Scotland) in Food and Drink Manufacturing Operations Investors in People: information and support for companies in our industry interested in achieving the Investor in People award Benchmarking: a comprehensive service to benchmark manufacturing efficiencies and skill levels, linked to clear targets for improvement Consultancy: a service tailor-made for manufacturers of biscuits, cakes, chocolate and confectionery

Apart from its key interest in training and development of employees within the industry, the Alliance aims to provide support in further areas, including legislation, external relations, trade and supply, export policy, industrial relations, scientific issues and cocoa research, and holds an annual technology conference for scientists and development technologists in the industry.

The BCCCA is working closely with Baking Excellence and is planning to create a development opportunity for people in the sector, linking this with achievement of an National or Scottish Vocational Qualification in Food and Drink Manufacturing Operations. We are committed to the work of Baking Excellence and look forward to the development opportunities available to employees within the sector.

For further information about the services offered by the BCCCA, take a look at the website on: http://www.bccca.org.uk