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Baker

Bakers make bread, cakes and pastries using machines or by hand.

Average annual salary (starting - experienced): £13,750 - £40,000

Typical hours (a week): 41 - 45

How to become a baker

You can get into this job through:

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

College

You can do a college course like a Level 2 Certificate in Bakery or Level 3 Diploma in Professional Bakery.

College (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

Apprenticeship

You could start by doing a baker intermediate or advanced apprenticeship.

Apprenticeship (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

Work

You may be able to start as a trainee or as a bakery assistant.

Direct application

You can apply for a job in a bakery if you have some catering experience.

More info

Career tips Any experience you have of making or serving food may help you get into this job.

What it takes

Skills & 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

What you'll do

Day to day

Your day-to-day tasks could include:

  • making sure you have enough supplies
  • measuring out large quantities of ingredients
  • working safely with machinery like power mixers, industrial ovens and production lines
  • making dough
  • working out cooking times
  • keeping production areas clean
  • developing new 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

Career path & progression

With experience, you could become a bakery supervisor, charge hand or production manager. As an in-store or industrial baker, you could move into a job at a flour mill or become a sales representative. You could also become a technical adviser or development baker for a baked goods or equipment company. Another option is to become a craft baker and set up your own business.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
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