The Baking Association of Australia (BAA) has recently been working with the NSW Department of Education (Trade Pathways) and TAFE NSW to develop a program to assist workers in the industry to have their experience and skills in the workplace formally acknowledged.

The Baking Industry Experienced Qualification Pathfinders Program is designed for those who have, or have had, a career in the industry but without the advantage of having their skills in the workplace formally acknowledged.

Executive Officer for Baking Association of Australia, Tony Smith, said, “This workplace program is an industry first and one of the key initiatives for the baking industry in Australia.

“In association with the NSW Department of Education (Trade Pathways) and TAFE NSW, we expect the program to be well supported by industry workers who fully deserve proper recognition for their tireless efforts in what is an extremely hardworking profession which demands much dedication and passion.”

To enrol in the program, candidates are required to have discussions with baking industry experts about their work history and eligibility for the program, after which time assessments will be made by the expert teams following visitations to each candidate’s workplace or their local TAFE campus.

The industry expert teams will then decide whether the particular candidate can progress to the Rising to the Trade Baking Skills Assessment Day or else require further training, which is free of charge.

All candidates involved in the program will be asked to attend the Rising to the Trade Skills Assessment Day. This will involve each candidate putting together a production plan, which will include ingredients and preparation methods involving a small range of products. On the second day, the candidates will then be able to bake the products. The program will end in an Awards ceremony.