Flour Confectioners & Bakers Associationour Confectioners & Bakers Association

Founded in 1986

The Flour Confectioners and Bakers Association was founded in 1986 by a group of Craft Bakers and Confectioners who were deeply concerned with the decline in the craft bakery and confectionery sector and were facing key challenges;

• Training Needs of the industry were not being addressed

• VAT had risen from 2% turnover Tax to 23% VAT while Britain and the North of Ireland were zero-rated

• The industry had no collective voice or tangible representation

• Cheaper Products from the UK and other countries that were working from a stronger base were rapidly replacing locally manufactured produce of cake and confectionery along with some bread items.

Positive Action - Much Success!

The association took positive action to address these key issues and has achieved  remarkable success

• Achieved a reduction in VAT from 25% to 13.5%
  

• Put in place structured in-house work based training with Certification along with off-the-job training through the Skillnets training programme.
   

•  Set-up comprehensive Insurance package for bakeries with FBD Insurances.
   

• Group Health Insurance scheme with VHI
   

• Formed the Irish Bakers Benevolent Society
  

• Amalgamated with the Institute of Irish Bakers
   

• Became full members of the UIB - the International Bakers association
  

Skillnets

The Association is fully committed to expanding and Growing the Skillnets training through networks programme to include not only the craft skills and knowledge of Baking, but also the development of the total person, management and marketing skills,

The association is also committed to further align the training to industry needs and requirements and to give added value to the Skillnets programme where possible.

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