Baker | Explore Careers - National Careers Service

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How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

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.

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
• search for courses

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
• guide to apprenticeships

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.

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

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

• get a food hygiene certificate

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 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.

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 an artisan craft baker and set up your own business.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Apprentice Baker

• Wage: £15,704 a year Annually
• Location: GLASTONBURY

Apprentice Baker

• Wage: £15,704 a year Annually
• Location: GORE CROSS BUSINESS PARK COR, BRADPOLE, BRIDPORT

Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Level 3 Professional Bakery

• Provider: TAMESIDE COLLEGE
• Start date: 02 September 2026
• Location: Ashton-Under-Lyne

Certificate in Professional Bakery

• Provider: SHEFFIELD COLLEGE, THE
• Start date: Flexible
• Location: SHEFFIELD

Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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Related careers

• Catering manager
• Chef
• Cake decorator
• Counter service assistant

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