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Baking and Pastry Arts - Pastry ESL

INFO SESSIONS & TOURS   Baking and pastry arts Next Date: Jun 12, 2013 more information »

Train to become a professional baker while improving your English speaking, reading and writing skills. This certificate is designed to help ESL learners connect theoretical principles of baking with practical application. It offers learners the opportunity to become skilled bakers and pastry cooks and gain in-depth knowledge and skills to troubleshoot errors and manage product outcomes. Graduates may apply to the British Columbia Industry Training Authority for apprenticeship credits towards the baker Red Seal program.

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Find out more about this program:

Program Description Career Prospects Admission Requirements Program Status

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Program Description

This program is 13 months for students in the combined skills with ESL support program.

1. Introduction to baking (four months)
2. Applied baking (four months)
3. Artisan baking (four months)
4. Capstone (one month)

Students in the combined skills with ESL support program learn the following skills and knowledge:

• Analyze and problem solve for managing baking process and product outcomes
• Practical artisan baking and foundational pastry arts skills
• Fundamental retail bakery operation skills
• In-depth knowledge and application of baking principles
• Upgrade existing English speaking, writing and listening skills
• Job search skills applicable to the Canadian labour market
• Foodsafe Level 1

Students are required to achieve a minimum 70% in all courses and exams.

Classes are generally held Monday to Friday, 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (subject to change).

Topic

Start Length Credential Campus Part or Full‑time August 13 months Certificate Downtown Full-time

Career Prospects

Graduates may be able to work as commercial bakers, pastry cooks, pastry chefs, cake decorators, wedding cake creators, chocolatier assistants.

Admission Requirements

General

VCC welcomes applications from Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

As Vancouver Community College is a post-secondary institution committed to educating adult learners, applicants should be 18 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school.

Please note that you must submit official transcripts and educational documents to support your application; unfortunately, we cannot accept photocopies or fax versions.

Program Specific

Seats are offered to applicants who have met all admission requirements, on a first-qualified, first-served basis.

1. Successful completion of Grade 10 or equivalent in country of origin.
2. Successful completion of a math course at the Grade 10 or equivalent level.
3. Proof of completion of VCC Lower Intermediate English or equivalent, which includes a Canadian Language Benchmark of Listening 5, Speaking 5, Reading 5 and Writing 4 or a minimum TOEFL score of 45. IELTS Academic Module and TOEFL iBT scores are valid at VCC for one year.

Students must submit official transcripts and educational documents to support an application. VCC does not accept photocopies or fax versions.

For international students, proof of international status (Visa documentation) is required.

Recommended characteristics

Physical and mental abilities required to perform the daily tasks associated with working in a professional bakery include:

• Performing in a busy, fast-paced and stressful environment
• Ability to work independently, meeting daily production deadlines
• Ability to learn three or four new recipes each day
• Strong and efficient organizational skills, ability to multi-task
• Produce tasteful, flavourful and attractive products on a consistent and timely basis
• Some creativity and artistic talent an asset
• Motor skills and physical capability needed to efficiently and safely operate industrial machinery
• Standing for prolonged periods of time
• Regular lifting and transportation of heavy objects
• Efficiently functioning in extreme heat

Closed-top, non-slip shoes are essential. The shoes should provide support and stability for long periods of standing. It is also recommended that students bring a digital camera to capture images of their work. As part of the program involves online learning, familiarity with computers and basic keyboarding skills is recommended.

Program Status

Accepting applications

VCC is not accepting applications from international students at this time.

Apply to this Program

The first step, apply early. Students who have officially applied and met all admission requirements are sent a letter of acceptance approximately four to five months in advance of the next available start date. A first payment is required to reserve a space in the program.

Online     Fax     In Person If you're ready and know the program you want, apply now. Download and complete the (PDF) application form and fax to 604.443.8450. Visit us at one of our campus locations.

After you apply, you can check your to see if all of the requirements have been met or to update contact information. Please use the temporary login ID and Personal Identification Number (PIN) that you used to complete your original online application.

Fees and Other Costs

Application Fee Tuition Fee $30.00 $6909.64 (minus $634.80 for eligible students)

Other Costs

Cost Type Details College initiative fee $118.56 Student union fee $74.43 Student union health plan fee $147.57 Student union dental plan fee $140.58 U-Pass $360 Other costs A Deposit is due 3 weeks after acceptance into a class. Remaining balance is due 3 months prior to start date of training. Fees are refunded according to the Refund Policy. Effective May 2013 students will purchase uniform $219 instead of paying laundry and uniform deposit. Textbooks and supplies: $700

Additional Information

Health Requirements:

Courses