Skills for success (Essential Skills) summary
Skills for Success are needed in a quickly changing world for work, learning and life. They are foundational for building other skills and important for effective social interaction. Everyone benefits from having these skills as they help individuals get a job, progress at their current job and change jobs. They also help individuals become active members of their community and succeed in learning.
Through extensive research and consultations, the Government of Canada launched the new Skills for Success model renewing the previous Essential Skills framework to better reflect the needs of the current and future labour market.
The summary presented here is based on existing Essential Skills profiles and will be updated to align with the new Skills for Success model over time.
Reading
Bakers require strong reading skills to refer to formulation instructions, techniques, product labels, memos and bulletins, task instructions, outstanding work from employers, special orders, equipment malfunctions and supply deliveries. Bakers also need to consult various organizations, such as the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Public Health Authorities for food handling and food importing regulations as well as industry publications for enhancing their knowledge.
Document Use
Bakers must consult product labels for warnings, enter data into label templates and locate data in formulations, lists and tables. They work with specification (spec) sheets, production sheets, bake orders, and tracking and quality control forms.
Writing
Writing skills are used by bakers to write brief notes in production logs, training forms, health and safety forms, and comments on formulations, bake orders and production sheets. When required, they may write product descriptions, memos or bulletins.
Oral Communication
Bakers require good oral communication and customer service skills. They discuss baking supplies with suppliers, baking order details and nutritional information with customers, and current work assignments and products with co-workers. Bakers interact with apprentices to teach them the trade of baking.
Numeracy
Bakers are required to have numeracy skills to calculate portions and ingredient quantities when modifying formulations, and measurements when using weigh scales and thermometers. They may calculate nutritional information for customers. Bakers do costing, maintain inventories, do scheduling and estimate time to complete baking tasks.
Thinking
Bakers identify ways to modify formulations, choose items for specials, and select decorating styles and appropriate equipment needed. The ability to problem-solve is required in situations such as when there are not enough baking supplies, formulations do not turn out as expected or there are customer special requests for orders. Bakers have the ability to manage several tasks simultaneously.
Working with Others
Bakers work in coordination with others to prepare, bake, assemble and decorate baked goods. Teamwork is an essential aspect of this work as bakers participate in discussions about work processes and offer suggestions for improving those processes. Giving and receiving feedback is an important aspect of working in this industry.
Digital Technology
Bakers require proficiency with word processing, spreadsheets, and several other areas. They often use the Internet to browse websites devoted to baking topics for ideas, inspiration and nutritional information. They may also search for information about products and equipment at suppliers’ websites. Digital equipment is used to perform ordering, recipe and nutrition management, and inventory control. Digital cameras and imaging equipment are used in cake decorating as well as marketing and sales.
Continuous Learning
Bakers need to learn continuously to keep abreast of new food and taste trends, to research new products and to improve their baking techniques. They learn through their daily work experiences, by observing other bakers, and by reading cookbooks, websites and industry publications. In addition, they may attend baking competitions, baking seminars and courses.