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Baker
Industrial baker, baking operative, artisan baker, craft baker
Bakers make bread, cakes and pastries by hand and with catering equipment.
Average salary (a year)
£19000
Starter
£26000
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
40.0 to 45.0 hours
a week
Work Hours
early mornings
on shifts
How to become
Explore the different ways to get into this role
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
hospitality and catering, bakery, professional bakery
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
    Apprenticeship
    You could begin your career by applying to do an apprenticeship, such as
    Baker Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship, Lead Baker Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, Pastry Chef Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
    These can take around 2 years to complete.
    Entry requirements
    You'll usually need:
    • 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
    More Information
    equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
    guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
    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.
    More Information
    Further Information
    You can find out more about working in the baking industry from Tasty Careers and the Federation of Bakers.
    What it takes
    Find out what skills you’ll use in this role
    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 use your initiative
      The ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
    Digital Skills Level
    to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
    Related Restrictions
    What you will do
    Discover the day-to-day tasks you’ll do in this role
    Day to day tasks
    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
    Working environment
    You could work at a store or in a factory.
    You may need to wear protective clothing.
    Your working environment may be dusty, physically demanding and noisy.
    Career Path & Progression
    Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities
    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.
    Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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