The aroma of fresh baked bread, cakes, and pastries, is just one of the job benefits that Bakers get to enjoy every day. From large-scale manufacturing bakeries to small retail shops, bakers work in environments that offer delicious scents. Bakers must become familiar with ingredients; measuring, weighing and combining them, and checking their quality. They use time and speed controls for mixers, blending machines, steam kettles, and ovens. Bakers must follow instructions closely and stay on schedule to ensure products are properly baked and fresh when served or packaged. Commercial bakers work in manufacturing facilities—large-scale commercial bakeries— that produce breads and pastries, often at high speeds. They use large, automated machines, such as commercial mixers, ovens, and conveyors. They must carefully follow instructions for production schedules and recipes. Retail bakers work primarily in grocery stores and specialty shops. They may take orders from customers, prepare goods to order, and produce a wide variety of flavors and sizes. Most retail bakers also clean their own work area and equipment and unload supplies. Long-term on-the-job training is the most common path to becoming a baker. Some bakers learn their trade through apprenticeships, or by attending technical or culinary school for 1-2 years.
What they do:
Mix and bake ingredients to produce breads, rolls, cookies, cakes, pies, pastries, or other baked goods.
On the job, you would:
Check products for quality and identify damaged or expired goods.
Set oven temperatures and place items into hot ovens for baking.
Combine measured ingredients in bowls of mixing, blending, or cooking machinery.
Manufactured or Agricultural Goods
manufacture and distribution of products
food production
Business
customer service
management
Arts and Humanities
English language
Math and Science
arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
Basic Skills
keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
figuring out how to use new ideas or things
Social
changing what is done based on other people's actions
Hand and Finger Use
hold or move items with your hands
keep your arm or hand steady
Verbal
listen and understand what people say
communicate by speaking
People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
Attention to Detail
Cooperation
Dependability
Integrity
Achievement/Effort
Stress Tolerance
You might use software like this on the job:
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
Afcom Datasafe Computer Services FlexiBake
Sage 100 ERP
Analytical or scientific software
Axxya Systems Nutritionist Pro
EGS CALCMENU
Data base user interface and query software
At Your Service Software CostGuard
Barrington Software CookenPro
high school diploma/GED or no high school diploma/GED usually needed
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