Baker

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role

Entry requirements:

College

You can do a college course, for example:

• hospitality and catering
• bakery
• professional bakery

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You could begin your career by applying for a Baker Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship, or Lead Baker Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

These can take around 2 years to complete.

Entry requirements:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Work

You may be able to start as a trainee or assistant in a bakery shop, supermarket or food production plant, and work your way up through training on the job.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Skills:

• knowledge of food production methods
• the ability to work well with your hands
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work well with others
• maths knowledge
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to use your initiative
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• customer service skills
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
• ambition and a desire to succeed
• thinking and reasoning skills
• concentration skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• the ability to learn through your work
• leadership skills
• knowledge of English language
• active listening skills
• physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace

What you'll do:

Bakers make bread, cakes and pastries by hand and with catering equipment.

As a baker, you could:

• weigh and mix ingredients by hand or using machinery
• bake bread, cakes and patisserie products in batches
• decorate and finish baked items ready for dispatch or shop display
• make quality and food safety checks
• stocktake and order supplies
• develop new recipes and products

Location : You could work at a store or in a factory.
Environment : Your working environment may be dusty, physically demanding and noisy.
Uniform : You may need to wear protective clothing.

Salary:

Starter : £19,000
Experienced : £26,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

40 - 45 hours a week

Working Pattern is early mornings on shifts

Career Path:

With experience, you could become a bakery supervisor or production manager in a factory, or move into commercial sales.

You could also become a technical adviser or development baker for a baked goods or catering equipment company.

Another option is to specialise, for example in patisserie, or become an artisan craft baker and set up your own business.