Plan, prepare and produce a significant range of refined products such as sour dough, complex pastry and biscuit products, fried products, and cake and sponge products.
This occupation is found in the craft and production bakery sector or the new product development departments of bakery ingredient suppliers. The occupation may also be found in certain hospitality sectors eg large fine dining kitchens. Work may be carried out in craft bakeries, large and small, factory-scale production bakeries, hotels, hospitals, and prison kitchens where bakery products are made on site, in ingredient supplier and commercial test bakeries.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to plan, prepare and produce a significant range of refined products such as sour dough, complex pastry and biscuit products, fried products, and cake and sponge products. They will have knowledge of the recipe makeup, complex processing methods and processing equipment as well as a strong knowledge of specialised ingredients, and the principles of product improvement or new product development. Depending on the size and scope of operation a Lead Baker may have responsibility for a section or department. Within an NPD role may be Lead Test Baker.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with their bakery team including senior managers and internal auditors. They would report to a section/department head, production manager, bakery manager or even an external proprietor depending on scale. In NPD the Lead Baker would be responsible to the department manager. External contacts may include suppliers, auditors and customers.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for ensuring products are food and hygiene safe and of the required quality. They would also need to ensure compliance in all areas of health and safety, food safety and business rules. A Lead Baker will have knowledge and skills associated with team leadership and a full understanding of the principles of product costing and productivity measurement. They must work to deadlines and financial targets. Their expertise would see them contribute to NPD, line and process improvements and team development. Progression pathway could lead through to production management, NPD test bakery leader, bakery technologist or bakery management.
This is a summary of the key things that you – the apprentice and your employer need to know about your end-point assessment (EPA). You and your employer should read the EPA plan for the full details. It has information on assessment method requirements, roles and responsibilities, and re-sits and re-takes.
An EPA is an assessment at the end of your apprenticeship. It will assess you against the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) in the occupational standard. Your training will cover the KSBs. The EPA is your opportunity to show an independent assessor how well you can carry out the occupation you have been trained for.
Your employer will choose an end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) to deliver the EPA. Your employer and training provider should tell you what to expect and how to prepare for your EPA.
The length of the training for this apprenticeship is typically 24 months. The EPA period is typically 3 months.
The overall grades available for this apprenticeship are:
The EPA gateway is when the EPAO checks and confirms that you have met any requirements required before you start the EPA. You will only enter the gateway when your employer says you are ready.
The gateway requirements for your EPA are:
Observation with questions
You will be observed by an independent assessor completing your work. It will last at least 4 hours. They will ask you at least 5 questions.
Interview underpinned by a portfolio of evidence
You will have an interview with an independent assessor. It will last at least 90 minutes. They will ask you at least 15 questions. The questions will be about certain aspects of your occupation. You need to compile a portfolio of evidence before the EPA gateway. You can use it to help answer the questions.
Multiple-choice test
You will complete a multiple-choice test. It will be closed book, meaning you will not have access to any books or reference materials.
The test will have 30 multiple-choice questions. You will have 60 minutes to complete it.
You should speak to your employer if you have a query that relates to your job.
You should speak to your training provider if you have any questions about your training or EPA before it starts.
You should receive detailed information and support from the EPAO before the EPA starts. You should speak to them if you have any questions about your EPA once it has started.Reasonable adjustments
If you have a disability, a physical or mental health condition or other special considerations, you may be able to have a reasonable adjustment that takes this into account. You should speak to your employer, training provider and EPAO and ask them what support you can get. The EPAO will decide if an adjustment is appropriate.
| Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | Approved for delivery | 07/11/2023 | Not set |
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