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Baker

Alternative titles for this job include Industrial baker, baking operative, artisan baker, craft baker

Bakers make bread, cakes and pastries by hand and with machinery.

Average salary (a year)

£16,000 Starter

to

£24,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

41 to 45 a week

You could work

early mornings on shifts

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a baker

You can get into this job through:

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

College

You can do a college course, for example:

  • Level 2 Certificate in Hospitality and Catering
  • Level 2 Certificate in Bakery
  • Level 3 Diploma in Professional Bakery

Entry requirements

You may need:

  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could start by doing an intermediate baker apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More Information

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.

More Information

Further information

You can find out more about working in the food and drinks industry from Tasty Careers and the Federation of Bakers.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • 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 accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a baker, you could:

  • weigh out quantities of ingredients
  • mix ingredients by hand or with catering machinery
  • prepare dough
  • bake products in batches in industrial ovens
  • make quality checks
  • decorate and finish baked items ready for dispatch or shop display
  • take customer orders if working in a shop
  • keep production areas clean
  • stocktake and order supplies
  • develop new recipes and products

Working environment

You could work at a store or in a factory.

Your working environment may be dusty, physically demanding and noisy.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

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 a craft baker and set up your own business.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Baker Apprentice

  • Wage: £10,982.40 Annually
  • Location: WILLITON

Baking and Sales apprenticeship

  • Wage: £13,041.60 to £25,737.40 Annually
  • Location: 35 EARLHAM STREET, LONDON
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Professional Bakery - Level 3

  • Provider: BLACKPOOL AND THE FYLDE COLLEGE
  • Start date: 04 September 2023
  • Location: Blackpool

Level 2 Professional Bakery

  • Provider: TAMESIDE COLLEGE
  • Start date: 05 September 2023
  • Location: Ashton-Under-Lyne
Find courses near you

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