Some people employed in the industry have no qualifications at all and have simply trained on the job. But remember: the more qualifications you have, the better paid you will be and the more opportunities you will have.
Full-time study
Full-time courses generally cover bakery safety, food hygiene, first aid, biscuits and small goods, pastry baking, bread baking, cake baking, cake decorating, baking for the catering industry, patisserie, confectionery and craft baking production.
The following are providers who offer full-time courses:
Ara Institute of Canterbury offers the New Zealand Certificate in Baking (Generalist) which is a full-time programme studied over one year. For more information visit ara.ac.nz or phone 0800 24 24 76 or email info@ara.ac.nz.
The Manukau Institute of Technology offers a full-time course leading to a NZ Certificate in Baking (Generalist) (Level 4). For more information visit their website, www.manukau.ac.nz or phone 0800 62 62 52 or email enquiries@manukau.ac.nz
AUT University offers a 1 year programme which leads to a Certificate or a 2 year full-term course to gain a Diploma in Patisserie. Visit www.aut.ac.nz or phone 09 921 9999 for further details.
Bakels Training Organisation
Bakels Training Organisation is a NZQA accredited provider delivering on-the-job training to trainees and apprentices working at least 30 hours per week in a bakery as a baker.
The level 3 traineeships are of 18 months duration and once completed, pathway towards the New Zealand Certificate in Baking (Trade) Level 4 with strands in pastry, bread, cake & biscuit and plant.
The apprenticeship training programme is for 3 years and includes a one-week per year of training compulsory block course, held at one of Bakels’s three delivery sites; Auckland, Palmerston North and Christchurch.
For more information please see their website –Bakels Training School | NZBakels