Tesco enlists Scottish Bakers' training arm to host bakery apprentice training instore

By Gill Hyslop

- Last updated on GMT

Bakery apprenticeships are delivered on-the-job, meaning there’s minimal downtime and impact on production capacity while staff develop their skills, says Scottish Bakers' CEO. Pic: GettyImages/Phil Boorman
Bakery apprenticeships are delivered on-the-job, meaning there’s minimal downtime and impact on production capacity while staff develop their skills, says Scottish Bakers' CEO. Pic: GettyImages/Phil Boorman

Related tags Scottish Bakers Tesco instore bakery category Apprenticeship Training labour shortage

The National Food & Drink Training (NFDT) - Scottish Bakers' training arm - has partnered with the UK retailer to run apprenticeship training in its from-scratch bakeries instore.

Alongside its current Bakery Training, Tesco is trialling the new ‘Level 2’ Bakery Apprenticeship, which is designed to support workers in building new skills, enhance their instore bakery knowledge and provide the tools to drive both product quality and customer service.

“A major part factor in business growth is attracting new talent in and retaining those skills through their ongoing development,” said Scottish Bakers CEO Alasdair Smith/

The importance of apprenticeships

“Apprenticeship training helps businesses become more productive and efficient by upskilling their new and existing workforce and delivers other benefits like reduced wastage, lower staff turnover and higher output.”

NFDT has been delivering apprenticeship courses to UK and Scottish companies for over 20 years. The courses can be tailored to meet specific company needs, but have all been proven to provide benefits to productivity, quality and efficiency as well as recruitment and retention of staff .

NFDT’s team of industry-savvy training advisors provide work-based learning to the workforce at a time that suits both businesses and employees, whether its day shift, night shift, back shift or split shifts.

Added Smith, “Investing in people, both new and those already in the workforce, is vital as all food and bakery businesses are under greater pressures than ever before.

“Apprenticeships are delivered on-the-job, meaning there’s minimal downtime and impact on production capacity while staff develop their skills. Training and assessment are conducted by NFDT’s expert industry trainers to guarantee the quality and relevance of the support provided. We believe more businesses need to recognise and invest in training to ensure their long term sustainability.”

Tesco instore training

Tesco training
Mark Draper from Tesco’s Durham store.

Seven Tesco employees have already signed up to the Level 2 programme, which is underway in outlets in Bishop Auckland, Durham, Oldham, Oxford, Plymouth and Redditch.

“We want all of our colleagues to be themselves and reach their potential – whoever they are, wherever they work and whatever they do,” ​said a Tesco spokesperson.

The Bakery Apprenticeship is broken into 10 modules, namely:

  • Principles of baking
  • Principles of bakery ingredients
  • Understand how to manufacture baked goods
  • Maintain quality and solve problems within the bakery
  • Understand how to carry out innovation and new product development in bakery
  • Demonstrate effective teamwork in baking
  • Produce fermented and enriched doughs
  • Produce cake and pastry products
  • Offer excellent customer service
  • Prepare, display and manage stock in retail bakery

“The participants are learning hands-on scratch baking, and so far, their colleagues have been delighted to sample fresh bakes such as croissants, bread, Swiss roll, scones and turnovers they have made as part of their learning.

“We really look forward to our colleagues having the ability to take part in this pilot and gain a nationally recognised Bakery Level 2 qualification. We also look forward to hearing the feedback on the learning journey from each individual." 

Related news

Show more

Related products

show more

Dairy proteins now available from Univar Solutions

Dairy proteins now available from Univar Solutions

Content provided by Univar Solutions | 20-Sep-2023 | White Paper

Foodology by Univar Solutions proudly partners with Leprino Nutrition as their North American distributor of nutritional ingredients and dairy products.

Clean Label Ingredients for Shelf-Life Extension

Clean Label Ingredients for Shelf-Life Extension

Content provided by Lesaffre | 19-Sep-2023 | White Paper

Product waste skyrockets without anti-staling agents and mold inhibitors. But consumers are scrutinizing labels more than ever before. How can you have...

Sustainability Claims Impact on Consumer Purchases

Sustainability Claims Impact on Consumer Purchases

Content provided by ADM | 07-Sep-2023 | Insight Guide

Discover what consumers say about sustainability claims versus what they do in the grocery aisle. Find out in this can’t-miss proprietary study from ADM:...

Cost-effective & efficient: Angel Prebake Solution

Cost-effective & efficient: Angel Prebake Solution

Content provided by Angel Yeast – Yeast and Baking Ingredients | 31-Jul-2023 | White Paper

After years of systematic research and practical application in the production process and essential ingredients for frozen dough, Angel's pre-bake...

Related suppliers

Follow us

Products

View more

Webinars