Education Qualifications
To become a baker you will need to complete a three-year apprenticeship in food processing (Retail baking – Bread/combined). Generally an employer will require you to have a Year 10 pass. If you choose to further your schooling and proceed to year 12 you are able to do VCE VET, which is vocational education and training that is undertaken as part of your senior school certificate. This will provide credit towards a recognised VET qualification which may shorten the length of your course. Your training is both on and off the job. Your off the job training is generally done through a registered training organisation such as TAFE.
With further training and qualifications including Certificates in Hospitality (Patisserie III and IV) and Food Processing (Retail Baking), you can progress to a pastrycook. Most TAFE organisatons offer relevant courses.
The entry criteria for tertiary institiutions differs from year to year. The above comments are a guide only. To gain specific entry criteria either contact the relevant university or use Hobson's The Good University Guide.
Relevant Universities Colleges & TAFE
Careernav have trolled through all the universities, specialist colleges and TAFE’s across the nation to identify those courses we consider relevant to this career. We have only focussed on the core single degree and its full time period. We acknowledge many combination degrees are available and different students combine different degrees. Course names also differ by university and we have grouped like courses together. We may have missed the odd course being offered, so we recommend for a more detailed guide check with the universities direct or one of the university course guide books such as Hobson’s. Please note Careernav are totally impartial and do not recommend one tertiary institution over another. To view the A to Z of tertiary institutions that offer relevant courses for this career.
Click here to view allPromoting Tertiary Institutions
All tertiary institutions have an open invitation to make available their course outline using the ‘For Institutions’ tab in the footer section of each page. From time to time universities, colleges or TAFE will take up Careernav’s offer to promote their courses and make available ‘Course Outline’ for your consideration. When an icon appears, consider its relevance and download the Course Outline on the one that interests you by clicking “I would like to learn more” at the end of the course profile.
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About the Author
Baker - Baking Industry Association Victoria
The Baking Industry Association of Victoria provides support and motivation to ensure the success and development of the entire baking industry. We represent the manufacturing, wholesale and retail sectors. Over 300 independent and franchise members employ bakers, pastrycooks, cake decorators or customer service personnel in most areas of metropolitan and regional Victoria.
Did you know that it takes 9 seconds for a combine to harvest enough wheat to make about 70 loaves of bread?