Baker

Bakers prepare, bake and finish bread, pastry, cake and confectionery products. Plant bakers operate machines to produce goods on a large scale. Craft bakery work involves more hands on activities and often a wider range of production in smaller batches.

Work activities

Bakers prepare, bake and finish a range of bread, pastries, cakes and savouries. They need to know how to make many types of bread and confectionery and have to keep up to date with any new varieties. The work can be divided into two types: plant bakery and craft bakery.

Plant bakery is mass production – automated work that often goes on for 24 hours a day. Most bread products are made in this way. The main product of plant bakeries is bread, pre-packed cakes and pastries. In plant bakeries, operators and assistants control various types of machinery that prepare dough and then pass it through different processes. These processes include moulding, proving (rising the dough), baking, cooling, slicing and wrapping.

Craft bakeries tend to be smaller and produce a greater variety of goods, but in smaller quantities. There is greater scope for creative work such as icing or decorating celebration cakes in the craft side of baking.

Bakers have to follow hygiene, health, and safety regulations when handling food and dealing with equipment. Bakers wear protective clothing – usually a white coat or apron and a hat. Long hair has to be tied back and suitable shoes must be worn.

Personal qualities and skills

To do this job well, you will need to be:

• A quick and neat worker, as you will often work to tight deadlines.
• Good with your hands.
• Reasonably fit, as the work can involve a lot of standing and also some heavy lifting.
• Enjoy dealing with the public.
• Feel comfortable dealing with cash and other types of payment.

This job might not be suitable for people who have skin conditions, such as eczema, or breathing complaints, such as asthma.

The following future skills shortages have been identified within the food and drink industry as a whole:

• Literacy and numeracy skills.
• Managerial skills.
• Quality assurance skills.
• Team working skills.
• Technical skills.
• Written and oral communication skills.

Pay and opportunities

Bakers earn in the range of £19,000, rising to £26,000 with experience.

Bakers usually work a 40-45-hour week, which may include early starts, late finishes, shift work and work at weekends.

Employers are plant and craft bakeries, and supermarket in-store bakeries. There are some opportunities with hotels and catering organisations, but most work for commercial bakeries. Opportunities for bakers occur in bakeries in towns and cities throughout the UK.

Opportunities occur for experienced bakers/confectionery/patisserie makers to become self-employed.

What’s happening in this work area?

The overall number of people employed in the food and drink industry is expected to fall as more processes are fully automated. However, projections suggest that employment levels will remain high due to the high staff turnover levels of the industry, and also because over a third of the current workforce is due to retire over the next 20 years.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised on all the major job boards, and on the Government’s Find a Job service.

Entry routes and training

You don’t usually need any qualifications to become a baker. A level 2 (intermediate) apprenticeship as a baker or a level 3 (advanced) apprenticeship as a lead baker could be a great place to start.

Whether or not you do an apprenticeship, training is in the workplace, with the option of part-time study, either at college or through an open learning package. There are also certificates in food hygiene and health and safety that you could do.

Progression could be to supervisory positions. Some bakers become self-employed and set up their own businesses.

Qualifications

Educational qualifications are not always required for entry to this work. However, a GCSE in design and technology (food technology) is useful. It is often important to show an interest in cooking and home economics.

If you wish to enter this career through an apprenticeship, you will need GCSEs in English and maths, although you may be able to complete these alongside your programme.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Skills gained in handling food can be useful. Practical work using your hands is an advantage, e.g. in food processing industries.

Colleges will usually consider applications from candidates who do not meet their usual entry requirements. You should check the admissions policy of individual colleges.

The Worshipful Company of Bakers feature a Bakery Course Finder on their website. This provides information on where to access courses.

Related careers

• Chef/cook
• Food service assistant
• Kitchen assistant