Is becoming a baker right for me?
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How to become a Baker
Bakers often start as apprentices in craft bakeries or trainees in store bakeries and learn the basics of baking, icing, and decorating. Most apprentices and trainees study topics such as nutrition, safe food handling, and basic baking. They may start as a baker’s assistant and progress into a full-fledged baker as they learn baking techniques.
The education and experience requirements vary by the level of certification desired. For example, a certified journey baker requires no formal education but must have at least one year of work experience. A certified baker must have four years of work experience, and a certified master baker must have eight years of work experience, 30 hours of sanitation coursework, and 30 hours of professional development training.
Some bakers choose to pursue an associate degree in Baking and Pastry Arts, particularly if they have aspirations of opening their own bakery.