The bakery industry is part of the food and drink manufacturing and processing sector, represented by Improve Sector Skills Council, which also includes the following industries: animal feed; beer; confectionery; dairy; fish; meat; and soft drinks. The sector as a whole currently employs 460,000 people in more than 11,100 workplaces and 15,800 retail baker, butcher and fishmonger outlets. 24% of the workforce is employed in the bakery industry and 21% in meat industry. At a regional level, 14% of the workforce is located in the North East, 13% in Yorkshire and Humberside, plus 13% in the East Midlands.
The bakery industry includes the manufacture of bread, fresh pastry goods, cakes, rusks, biscuits, plus preserved pastry goods and cakes. It employs 101,000 people in 3,000 workplaces and 48,700 retail bakery outlets across Great Britain.
Key facts:
- There are 101,000 people working in the bakery industry, which represents 24% of those employed in the food and drink manufacturing sector.
- 37% of the current workforce will be eligible for retirement within the next 20 years.
- 83% of the workforce is employed full-time.
- 7% of the workforce is self-employed.
- 4% of businesses employ 200 or more staff, 65% employ 10 or less staff.
- 14% of the workforce has no qualifications.
- The highest qualification for majority of the workforce is GCSE grades A-C (21%) or A Levels (20%).
Jobs in the industry range from: quality assurance manager, pastry chef, multi-skilled engineers, new product development manager, baker, cake decorator.
National and regional data
The highest proportion of bakery industry employees are in the North West (20%), Yorkshire and Humberside (14%) and Scotland (12%). Trends and skills shortages within the regions mirror those in the wider UK bakery industry.
East Midlands – The region accounts for 9% of all industry employees and 6% of all industry workplaces. Between 2000 and 2007, the bakery industry experienced a decline in employment numbers from 12,600-9,000 workers. The meat, other food, bakery, and fruit and vegetable processing industries dominate regional employment in the sector.
East of England – The region accounts for 3% of all industry employees and 6% of all industry workplaces. Between 2000 and 2007, the bakery industry experienced a decline in employment numbers from 5,500-2,700 workers. The meat, and fruit and vegetable processing industries dominate regional employment in the sector.
London – The region accounts for 10% of all industry employees and 12% of all industry workplaces. Between 2000 and 2007, the bakery industry experienced an increase in employment numbers from 10,000-10,800 workers. The bakery and other food industries dominate regional employment in the sector.
North East – The region accounts for 4% of all industry employees and 6% of all industry workplaces. Between 2000 and 2007, the bakery industry experienced a decline in employment numbers from 6,500-4,600 workers. The bakery and meat industries dominate regional employment in the sector.
North West – The region accounts for 20% of all industry employees and 17% of all industry workplaces. Between 2000 and 2007, the bakery industry experienced a decline in employment numbers from 24,300-20,000 workers. The bakery and meat industries dominate regional employment in the sector.
South East – The region accounts for 6% of all industry employees and 9% of all industry workplaces. Between 2000 and 2007, the bakery industry experienced a decline in employment numbers from 7,800-6,200 workers. The bakery and other food industries dominate regional employment in the sector.
South West – The region accounts for 8% of all industry employees and 10% of all industry workplaces. Between 2000 and 2007, the bakery industry experienced an increase in employment numbers from 8,000-8,500 workers. The bakery and meat industries dominate regional employment in the sector.
West Midlands – The region accounts for 8% of all industry employees and 6% of all industry workplaces. Between 2000 and 2007, the bakery industry experienced a decline in employment numbers from 9,100-7,600 workers. The bakery and meat industries dominate regional employment in the sector.
Yorkshire and the Humber – The region accounts for 14% of all industry employees and 11% of all industry workplaces. Between 2000 and 2007, the bakery industry experienced a decline in employment numbers from 16,500-14,100 workers. The bakery and meat industries dominate regional employment in the sector.
Scotland – Between 2000 and 2007, employment in the bakery industry has remained stable. The bakery and drinks industries dominate regional employment in the sector.
Wales – Employment in the bakery industry has fluctuated since 2000 – numbers rose by 11% between 2001 and 2004 and then fell by 11% between 2004 and 2007. The meat and bakery industries dominate regional employment in the sector.
[N.B. The following data for Northern Ireland are for the food and drink manufacturing and processing sector as a whole.]
Northern Ireland – More than 18,900 people are employed in the food and drink manufacturing and processing sector in Northern Ireland, accounting for 5% of the UK sector workforce. The meat industry dominates regional employment in the sector.
[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey, 2008 and Annual Business Inquiry, 2007.]
