Craft Bakery Association hails ‘exemplary’ new apprenticeship standard

08-Sep-2023 - Last updated on 08-Sep-2023 at 12:14 GMT

The new bakery standard takes apprentice bakers to the next level. Pic: GettyImages

The CBA is encouraging its members and wider bakery industry to embrace the new Level 3 apprenticeship scheme - ‘confident it will play a vital role in future proofing the industry’.

The Bakery Trailblazer Group is set to launch its Level 3 Lead Baker Trailblazer Apprenticeship Scheme, having received approval by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IFATE).

The new standard is based on traditional bakery apprenticeships but embraces all the modern-day requirements for being a lead baker.

It builds on the success of the Level 2 standard - launched in 2020 - which is the entry point to a career in baking. Level 3 takes apprentices to the next level, focusing on more complex bakery products, knowledge and skills. It also includes leadership training for certain areas of production in the bakery, as well as developing teams.

Following a review by the Bakery Trailblazer Group, chaired by George Fuller of Fullers Bakery (former CBA chairman), the development of the standard was coordinated by the National Skills Academy for Food & Drink (NSAFD). Several businesses were also involved - namely Fullers Bakery, Gearys Bakeries, Lesaffre, British Bakels, Heygates, The Bread Factory and Cooplands Bakery - along with awarding organisations, The Alliance for Bakery Students and training providers.

“The Bakery Trailblazer Group has worked incredibly hard over the past 18 months to revise the Lead Baker Level 3 Apprenticeship,” said Louise Cairns, NSAFD CEO.

“It has been updated to meet requirements that have come into place since its initial development and to build on effective practice.

“It is another example of an exemplary apprenticeship standard developed by the food and drink sector and we are extremely proud to have played a part in it.”

Added CBA CEO Karen Dear, “The launch of the Level 3 Baker Trailblazer Apprenticeship Scheme this week is good news for all bakers - especially small businesses, as potential funding for SMEs is available.

“We encourage all CBA members and the wider bakery industry to consider the new standard, as we’re confident it will play a vital role in futureproofing the industry.”

Small businesses looking to access funding to deliver the programme free of charge can do so with the help of NSAFD.