You can do a college course, for example:
- hospitality and catering
- bakery
- professional bakery
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
Bakers make bread, cakes, pastries, and other baked goods. They mix ingredients, knead dough, and use ovens to bake tasty treats. Bakers can work in bakeries, supermarkets, hotels, and restaurants. They need to follow recipes carefully and make sure everything is cooked just right. Bakers often work early in the morning so that fresh bread and cakes are ready for people to buy when shops open. Being a baker can be hard work, but it is also very rewarding for those who love making food and being creative.
Most bakers in the UK earn between £17,000 and £25,000 per year.
There are around 40,000 people working as bakers and flour confectioners in the UK.
Many bakers start work very early in the morning, often between 3am and 5am.
A person who specialises in baking and decorating different types of cupcakes for parties and celebrations.
Someone who makes different kinds of bread, like rolls, baguettes, and wholemeal loaves, in a bakery.
A person who bakes and decorates biscuits with icing, sprinkles, and other tasty toppings.
Start by helping make simple things like bread or cupcakes at home.
Ask an adult to help you with basic recipes. Try mixing flour, sugar, and eggs, and learn how ingredients come together. This will help you understand the basics of baking and how to follow instructions.
Choose food technology or cooking classes at school if they are available.
Food technology classes teach you about food, safety, and simple baking methods. You will get to use kitchen tools and try new recipes, helping you become more confident in the kitchen.
Find a baking club or a workshop in your local area to learn more.
Some community centres or bakeries offer workshops for young people. You can learn new techniques, meet other bakers, and practise making different baked goods. This is also a fun way to learn teamwork.
Ask a local bakery if you can visit or help out for a day.
Many bakeries are happy to show young people around. You might be able to watch how bread and cakes are made, and even help with simple tasks. This experience helps you see what a baker does every day.
When you are older, you can take college courses in baking or pastry making.
Colleges offer courses like Level 2 or 3 Diplomas in Professional Bakery. These teach you special skills used by bakers, including how to use big ovens and decorate cakes. You may also learn about food hygiene and business.
Look for a bakery apprenticeship after school.
Apprenticeships let you learn on the job with experienced bakers while earning a wage. You get real-world practice and can work towards a qualification. This is a great way to start your career as a baker.
Pastry chefs create desserts and sweet treats, such as cakes, tarts, and biscuits, often working in restaurants or hotels.
Butchers prepare and sell meat, working in butcher shops or supermarkets, and sometimes in markets.
Catering assistants help prepare and serve food and drinks at events, cafes, and canteens.
Please note that this may not be a comprehensive list of available apprenticeships. To view a more complete collection, visit the Find an apprenticeship service.
Click on any card to be redirected to their vacancy page.
Royal Navy
( Added 04 Jun 2024 - 100 positions available )
Travelling around the world, your job will range from cooking for the ship's company on board warships or Royal Marines on land operations, to serving a fine dining experience to politically influential VIPs and Royalty. Responsibility for ordering, receiving, and accounting for provisions to sustain the menus you write ashore and at sea.
Closing date: in 8 months
Possible start date: 02 Jun 2026
H & A BELLA LIMITED
( Added 29 Aug 2024 - 1 position available )
An opportunity for a passionate chef to join our fantastic team and work with fresh local produce and state-of-the-art equipment. This is a role in an exciting modern pub with fresh food cooked from scratch. Join our small team to receive hands on training from all our chefs, grow with a brand new, experienced team, and develop your skills.
Closing date: in 1 month
Possible start date: 14 Nov 2025
THE FERRY HOUSE LIMITED
( Added 29 May 2025 - 1 position available )
We are a small family pub in the village of East Stockwith located near the riverside. We are looking for a talented young apprentice chef who wants to start their journey in the world of catering. This is a great opportunity to learn the principles and experience what it takes to operate in this industry
Closing date: in 8 days
Possible start date: 09 Oct 2025
Cathedral View House
( Added 03 Jun 2025 - 1 position available )
Cathedral View Residential and Care Home are offering an exciting opportunity to join their team as a Commis Chef Apprentice. You will learn exciting new skills and expand on your knowledge and experience in the kitchen.
Closing date: in 15 days
Possible start date: 03 Nov 2025
PREZZO TRADING LIMITED
( Added 04 Jun 2025 - 1 position available )
Ready to Serve Up Success? Join Prezzo Italian as an Apprentice Chef and Embark on a Journey Through Italian Flavours, where One Team, Drive to Succeed, Genuine Connections, and Pride are at the Heart of Everything We Do!
Closing date: in 26 days
Possible start date: 01 Nov 2025
The Crown Inn, Marnhull
( Added 24 Jun 2025 - 1 position available )
A fantastic opportunity to become an Apprentice Commis Chef and be a part of the friendly team at The Crown, Marnhull. We are looking to recruit an Apprentice Commis Chef who is passionate about hospitality. The successful candidate must be enthusiastic and ready to put their skills into practice.
Closing date: in 3 days
Possible start date: 06 Oct 2025
ROSS & ROSS FOOD LIMITED
( Added 30 Jun 2025 - 1 position available )
At Ross & Ross, the Apprentice Chef will learn the different sections within the kitchen, gain experience with food preparation and cooking techniques, and work safely within HSE guidance.
Closing date: in 12 days
Possible start date: 20 Oct 2025
This page showcases various career options and the pathways to reach them. Each career listed here shares transferable skills and knowledge, making it easier for individuals to transition between them.
Your current career is highlighted to help you see how it fits into the broader landscape of potential career choices. By clicking on any career, you can learn more about it, including the training and education required to pursue it.
Remember, progressing in your career often involves further learning and training. This page provides insights into future career options as well as those that can lead up to your current one.
These career progression decisions are informed by comparing the skills and knowledge needed for different occupations, along with data on how people move between them. Explore the possibilities and discover the exciting journey ahead in your career!
You can get into this job through:
You can do a college course, for example:
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
You could begin your career by applying to do an apprenticeship, such as:
These can take around 2 years to complete.
You'll usually need:
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.
You can find out more about working in the baking industry from Tasty Careers and the Federation of Bakers.
Explore other careers or use our AI to discover personalised paths based on your interests.
Address
Developing Experts Limited
Exchange Street Buildings
35-37 Exchange Street
Norwich
NR2 1DP
UK
Phone
01603 273515
Email
[email protected]
Copyright 2025 Developing Experts, All rights reserved.
Unlock expert-designed lessons, resources, and assessments tailored for educators. No credit card required.
Claim Your Free Trial →