Baking and pastry arts certificate
Facts checked 7 September 2026
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An 11-month hands-on culinary program teaching artisan bread baking, laminated pastries, cake decoration, chocolate confectionery, and commercial kitchen operations.
Ways to get this paid for
Government money that can cover this course. Check who qualifies before you pay.
Free adult upgrading
FreeGrade 11 and 12 courses and English classes are free at public colleges and school districts. This covers the Grade 11 and 12 prerequisite courses, not the program itself.
WorkBC training funding
Up to $7,500 tuitionIf you are out of work or underemployed, a WorkBC case manager can approve and pay for this training. Get approval before you pay.
Canada Training Credit
Half your tuition back, up to $5,000 in your lifeFederal tax credit. $250 a year builds up from age 26. Claim it on your tax return.
BC Access Grant
Up to $4,000 a yearFor low and middle income students in full-time programs under two years at public schools. Assessed when you apply through StudentAid BC.
THE ROUTE
How this program works, step by step
Grade 11 to the job. Open any step to see what is inside.
The route (8 steps)
For the best view, open the map full screen.
STEP BY STEP
Step by step
The same route as the map, as a list.
Step 1 of 8
Grade 11
⏱ 1 school year- English 10 or equivalent language proficiency
- Mathematics 11. Requirement varies by school (Vancouver Community College, Vancouver Island University). Strictest requirement: C.
Step 2 of 8
Grade 12
⏱ 1 school year- BC High School Graduation (Dogwood Diploma). Requirement varies by school (Vancouver Community College, Vancouver Island University). Strictest requirement: standard completion.
Step 3 of 8
What you need to get in
- Food Safe Level 1 certificate prior to first day of classes
- FOODSAFE Level 1 certificate prior to first day of classes
- FOODSAFE Level 1 certificate
Step 4 of 8
How to apply
- Apply online through EducationPlannerBC to Vancouver Community College
- Submit high school or post-secondary transcripts
- Accept your offer and pay the tuition commitment deposit
- Purchase chef uniform, safety shoes, and professional pastry knife kit
Step 5 of 8
Baking and pastry arts certificate
⏱ 11 months- 11 months of full-time daily practical kitchen lab and theory sessions
- Artisan bread fermentation, sourdough cultures, and hearth ovens
- Classical viennoiserie, croissants, Danish pastries, and puff pastry
- Confectionery: chocolate tempering, truffles, sugar work, and entremets
- Receives credit for SkilledTradesBC Baker Levels 1 & 2 technical training and 600 workplace hours
Step 6 of 8
Where to take it
⏱ 2 schools in BC- Vancouver Community College — 11 months (About $670 per level)
- Vancouver Island University — 1 year (About $6,200 for the whole program)
Step 7 of 8
Exams and registration after
- SkilledTradesBC Baker modular standardized trade examinations
- Apprenticeship registration with commercial bakery sponsor
Step 8 of 8
Leads to: Baker
- Explore Baker wages, job outlook, and career pathways
SCHOOLS
Where you can take this(2 schools)
Compare tuitions, campus locations, and delivery formats across approved institutions in British Columbia.
Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.
Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.