Welcome to the Bakers and Co

Background

Skillnets

Skillnets training through networks programme was established by An Táiniste Mary Harney, T.D. in1999 to address the skills shortage in the market-place. 

Irish Bakery Industry Situation

The wide geographical spread of bakery businesses has resulted in a situation where 85% of current industry employees have received no formal training or qualifications. Increased competition from supermarkets, imports and other suppliers of bakery related food products has already resulted in many closures.

In response to industry needs and requirements for in-house work based training of the craft skills and knowledge in the manufacture of bread and confectionery, the Flour Confectioners and Bakers Association through Skillnets set about providing this much sought after type of training.

The very obvious need for work based in-house training in the bakery industry nationwide was established through numerous industry surveys and feedback.

Top First Steps - Network Formation

On receipt of approval from the board of Skillnets, F.C.B.A nominated a board of directors and appointed a project manager to run the programme. Pat Garvey was appointed and has since facilitated the formation of a network of forty-five bakeries. This has now been increased to 62!

A structured fifty-week training progamme was developed focussing on the theory and practicalities of bread and confectionery manufacturing. With this extensive backup / supportive material was accumulated.

Top Train the Trainer

Mid year 2000 saw the initial training of the trainers. Highly skilled craftsmen were recruited as trainers and all were put through an extensive "train the trainer" refresher course. Training began on the September 11th 2000.
Top Initial Certification of Courses

Two modules have been approved for certification with F.E.T.A.C. Bread and Confectionery Manufacturing Level 5

Bread Baking & Processing Level 5

There continues to be work in progress on Higher Levels.

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F.C.B.A. (Irish Bakers) Skillnet Certification Centre

The network is now fully established as a certification centre with the several group of candidates having completed their examinations. The trainers, all of whom are highly skilled craftsmen with formal qualifications, deliver training in individual workplaces during normal working hours. In the longer term, it is intended to supply training in business and management skills as well.

Contact: Patrick Garvey (Principle)
Top Qualifications to date

The initial fifty-week certification course was completed in twenty-five bakeries while substantial training between eight and thirty-eight weeks was delivered in eleven more. 

The Programme has since been developed further and training has been delivered to over sixty bakeries nationwide.

Now Structured certified training has been delivered to almost six hundred people.

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