Skills4Bakers

Programme Outline

The Trade Baker Programme consists of six courses. The courses are 11-12 weeks each and 5 out of 6 of them are a blend of learning in the workplace via a work placement and on-site learning at our Skills4Work training centre based in Manukau, Auckland and now also available in Christchurch!

Our Auckland Training centre is only 2 mins walking distance from the Manukau train station & bus hub.

Trainee Bakers will learn:

• How to follow recipes and change ingredients when needed
• Creating from scratch and pre-mix
• Measure and mix ingredients
• Knead, roll and shape dough/pastry for baking, either manually or using industrial-grade machinery
• How to bake bread, cake, and biscuits
• How to prepare items for sale, including icing items or decorating cakes
• How to prepare customer orders and serve customers

Course Overview

In each course, bakery students will experience and learn about the world of baking. Bakers are creative and passionate about their trade.

Course 1. Introduction to the world of baking (12 weeks with Skills4Work)

You will learn about:
• The baking industry, we will show you where your career can take you as a qualified baker (visits to different baking businesses)
• How to measure, calculate ingredients to make and bake muffins, basic bread products, basic piping and more
• Health and safety, food safety
• Essential skills that employers need, such as problem-solving, creativity, growth mindset, financial literacy, entrepreneurship

Course 2. Baking essentials and the workplace (11 weeks, three days in the workplace, two days with Skills4Work)

You will learn:
• In a workplace environment (supported by your navigator)
• With us, about quality, more bread products and basic fillings, icings, toppings and glazes, and how to apply these to bakery products
• The baking process and chemical reactions of ingredients and all the different bakery equipment

Course 3. Bakery products, fillings and toppings (11 weeks, three days in the workplace, two days with Skills4Work)

You will learn:
• In a workplace environment (supported by your navigator)
• With us, about waste production and sustainability
• Producing more bakery products/fillings, icings, topping and glazes, using
chocolate, spices, butter cream, savoury and savoury fillings
• Making meringue, ganache and using fondant and royal icing to name a few

Course 4. The art of baking (11 weeks, three days in the workplace, two days with Skills4Work)

You will learn:
• In a workplace environment (supported by your navigator)
• With us, about baking white, grain, wholemeal and grain bread products
• Production planning in a bakery
• Baking nutrition

Course 5. Specialty bread products (11 weeks, three days in the workplace, two days with Skills4Work)

You will learn:
• In a workplace environment (supported by your navigator)
• With us, about baking specialty artisan bread products, such as pita focaccia, French, Turkish, German, Swiss
• Further production planning in a bakery

Course 6. Craft baking (11 weeks, three days in the workplace, two days with Skills4Work)

You will learn:
• In a workplace environment (supported by your navigator)
• With us, about baking specialty cakes, such as gateaux, cheesecake and other delicatessen goodies

*Throughout the courses you will develop further cake decorating skills, as well as more complex bakery products.

Workplace Experience

Work placements start in Course 2 where you will be at our training centre two days per week and the other three days with the employer. With work placements, we will do our best to find somewhere as close to where you live, as possible.

We have great connections with employers throughout New Zealand. Skills learnt, not only give you the opportunity to gain full-time employment but provide you with skills to support your family and the community.

Entry Requirements

Whilst we would love to take on every single person who applies we do have some criteria you must meet:

• Domestic Student
• New Zealand Citizen or Resident
• Be at least 18 years old
• Have NCEA Level 2 or equivalent knowledge OR current industry experience

Additional Information:

• NZ Citizen/Residents may be eligible for the Fees Free Scheme or, via the MPTT Consortium (Maori Pasifika Trades Training)
• Student Loan and allowance options are available via Study Link
• Must able to physically lift around 20 to 25kgs
• Must be able to travel to our training centre in Manukau, Auckland or our training centre in Christchurch.