High School
Many bakers begin as bakery helpers. Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates. Useful classes include family and consumer science, which should teach you about food preparation, health, and nutrition, and math, such as algebra and geometry, so that you are comfortable using numbers and making calculations. You may also want to take science courses such as biology and chemistry to get an understanding of substances' properties and reactions. If you are interested in working as a bakery-maintenance engineer, take shop classes that will teach you to work with electricity and machinery.
Postsecondary Training
Some bakery workers acquire useful skills through education in technical schools or in the U.S. Armed Forces. However, they usually complete their education on the job. Training times vary but may last up to one year.
Degrees, concentrations, and minors are available in bakery science and related areas. For example, the Culinary Institute of America offers a bachelor's degree study concentration in Advanced Concepts in Bakery and Pastry.
The skills that bakery helpers need to become bakers in wholesale baking plants can be learned in several ways. In some companies, bakery helpers can learn through formal apprenticeships. Apprenticeships consist of a blend of classroom and on-the-job instruction and take several years to complete.
After they have some experience, bakery workers who have proved they are good employees but want to upgrade their skills may attend training courses offered by AIB International. Others take correspondence courses and seminars offered by AIB International at various locations. Bakers who successfully complete this training receive specialty certification in bread, cake, or cracker production.
Some chef training schools have bakery programs for students interested in learning diverse baking skills, from basic bread to gourmet pastries.
Some companies provide apprenticeships for employees who are training to be bakery-maintenance engineers. Another option is to take classes, correspondence courses, and seminars offered by AIB International.
Certification
Online learning platforms, professional associations, and colleges and universities offer certificate programs in baking, the culinary arts, and related fields that help students and current bakers build their skills and learn about new baking processes. For example, the American Culinary Federation offers a baking and pastry essentials certificate program, and Harper College offers a bread and pastry arts certificate program. Contact these organizations for more information.
Other Education or Training
AIB International offers correspondence and online courses. Topics include baking fundamentals, food safety, and baking science. The American Society of Baking and Retail Bakers of America offer webinars and conference seminars and workshops. Contact these organizations for more information.
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