Young shun baking jobs

Trainee baker numbers are not rising to meet the demand for skilled workers.

The baking industry training organisation, Competenz, reports a 65 to 75 per cent shortfall in trainee bakers.

There are few young people trained to replace an ageing workforce as well as a brain-drain of respected bakers to Australia.

Competenz chief executive John Broadhead said the group had teamed with other industry groups to find a solution.

"A baker's hours are no harder than a chef's or shift worker's and, once qualified, bakers can pursue management or specialised positions."

Mr Broadhead said only 550 people were training in the baking industry, which needed up to 2000 people for New Zealand's 1200 bakeries.

"Competenz is desperate to turn around baking's declining workforce," he said.

"Baking is part of our everyday lives, from buying a sliced loaf at the corner dairy to exotic breads in restaurants."

- NZPA