New Zealand Certificate in Baking (Level 3)
Food & Beverage
A course by
Otago Polytechnic
Turn your passion for baking into a career with this nationally recognised, hands-on bakery programme. Gain essential skills in bread, pastry, cake, and bakery products in just 16 weeks, and develop real-world experience in commercial kitchens.
NZ$4,904
inc GST
Enquire about international pricing
Core skills this course teaches
Bake assorted breads
Produce a variety of breads, including crusty loaves and soft rolls, adhering to professional standards and food safety requirements.
Master pastry techniques
Demonstrate proficiency with short pastry, sweet pastry, and prepare products such as pies and tarts.
About This Course
This 16-week, full-time certificate offers you practical, hands-on bakery skills in commercial kitchens—from artisan breadmaking to cake decoration. You'll produce high-quality baked goods for actual customers in a campus café, learning under expert bakers in small classes with one-on-one support. The nationally recognised qualification equips you to enter the baking sector or continue to higher study.
Course Content
- Bake a variety of breads (crusty loaves, soft rolls, essential bakery food safety)
- Master pastry techniques (short pastry, sweet pastry, pies, and tarts)
- Perfect cake and sponge-making (classic recipes, fillings, basic decoration)
- Create bakery favourites (biscuits, slices, scones, muffins)
- Health and safety practices for commercial bakery environments
Entry Requirements
Open entry
International students individually assessed for readiness
Build towards these roles
BakerBakery AssistantCake DecoratorPastry Chef
Build skills in these industries
Food and BeverageHospitality
Otago Polytechnic is known for high quality, hands on learning that leads to strong outcomes. With excellent student satisfaction, high graduate employment rates, and a commitment to sustainability, it’s a place where practical skills meet purpose. Their award winning programmes span design, fashion, creative arts, trades, health, and business, giving you real experience and real confidence for whatever comes next.
