Maple Leaf Coffee Roasters in Roselle, IL, expressed interest in establishing a registered apprenticeship program to develop its workforce, but encountered an unexpected barrier: There was no existing registered apprenticeship occupation specifically for Coffee Roasters! Rather than abandoning the effort, IMEC worked directly with the company to identify a comparable occupation within the apprenticeship system and determine how it could be adapted to meet the specialized needs of coffee roasting.

Working collaboratively with the employer, IMEC helped customize the work process schedule and core competencies to accurately reflect the skills required of a Coffee Roaster, including roasting operations, quality control, equipment maintenance, production planning, inventory management, and food safety. IMEC then coordinated with the U.S. Department of Labor to submit the proposed occupation under an existing O*NET code, along with a justification for the customized apprenticeship. Related technical instruction was also developed to support the two-year apprenticeship program.

The proposed apprenticeship is currently under review by the U.S. Department of Labor. Once approved, Maple Leaf Coffee Roasters plans to enroll its first Coffee Roaster apprentice, creating a structured workforce development pathway for a specialized manufacturing occupation that previously lacked a registered apprenticeship model. This effort demonstrates how IMEC can help manufacturers overcome barriers to apprenticeships by developing customized solutions for unique industry needs.

The customized apprenticeship curriculum was designed to provide comprehensive, hands-on training in the specialized skills required of a Coffee Roaster. Apprentices will learn to evaluate raw coffee beans, operate roasting equipment, monitor temperature and roasting profiles, conduct quality control and sensory evaluations, maintain roasting and packaging equipment, coordinate production schedules, and apply food safety and sanitation practices. Related technical instruction will further develop knowledge in coffee production fundamentals, roasting science, equipment operations, workplace safety, preventive maintenance, and quality assurance, ensuring apprentices gain both the practical experience and classroom instruction needed to succeed in this highly specialized occupation.