Baker, Manufacturing ​/ Production

Also known as: Industrial baker, baking operative, artisan baker, craft baker

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

• 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

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.

41 to 45 hours per week

early mornings (on shifts)

• 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- draft- HP
• maths knowledge 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

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• working towards this role

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

• 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

You could start by doing an intermediate baker apprenticeship.

You'll usually need:

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

• 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.