Baker

Bakers make a range of bread and pastry products. These include loaves, rolls, croissants, buns, pastries, cakes and biscuits. The work includes:

• weighing out and measuring ingredients
• mixing, moulding and shaping dough
• setting the dough to rise
• decorating, slicing and wrapping products.

Bakers may work in automated plant bakeries, in-store bakeries (usually in supermarkets) or craft bakeries. In craft bakeries and some in-store bakeries much of the work is still carried out by hand.

Bakers work 39 hours a week or more, over five days, often including weekends. Plant bakeries often work shifts including nights. Bakery work usually involves early starts and the working environment can be hot. The work is physically demanding and can involve a lot of standing.

Salaries generally range from around £13,000 to £35,000 a year or more.

Bakers need:

• to be able to read labels and instructions
• basic maths ability
• to be well organised and work quickly to meet deadlines
• to work well with others
• an interest in cookery and food
• to enjoy doing practical work.

Opportunities exist around the UK but are concentrated in the North West, Yorkshire and the Humber and Scotland.

It is possible to train for bakery work without formal qualifications, but GCSEs

(A*-C) in English, maths and science or food technology are useful. Entry to the bakery industry can be through an Apprenticeship or after taking a full-time or part-time course.

Some people start as operators and receive basic on-the-job training. There are a number of vocational qualifications which can be gained through assessment in the workplace, including NVQs in food manufacture.

To advance to more skilled work, it is important to have further training. There are higher-level courses for those who want to specialise, and for those who want to become supervisors and managers.

It is possible to progress to supervisor, charge hand or production manager. Some bakers move into related areas of work, such as teaching baking skills or food science and nutrition. Craft bakers with experience can set up and run their own bakery businesses.

Further details