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Program Length1 Year
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CredentialCertificate
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Location OfferedNanaimo
Do you love baking pastries and bread and making divine desserts? Shape your passion with VIU’s Professional Baking and Pastry Arts program for a rewarding, hands-on career that can take you around the world. Learn advanced baking and dessert making, as well as sugar and chocolate artistry techniques.
This internationally recognized program provides students with hands-on, real-world experiences providing baked goods and pastries to the university community, including making cakes to order. Students of VIU’s baking school also learn on the department’s wood-fired brick oven.
Graduates of our pastry art school have found work in bakeries – including opening their own – and a range of high-end restaurants, world-class hotels and resorts. Educational grants are available to students wanting to train in these in-demand industries.
Program Overview
The Culinary Institute of Vancouver Island (CIVI) at VIU provides students with a Certificate in Professional Baking and Pastry Arts, giving them a leading edge for advancement and progression in the baking and pastry profession. This full-time program provides students with knowledge and experience in the science and production of bakery items baked in both commercial ovens and our wood burning brick oven. Emphasis is placed on traditional and artisan baking methods as applied to modern Canadian and international trends. The pastry arts component of the program also provides the fundamental skills needed in pastry training from cake decorating, including wedding and special occasion cakes, to desserts, chocolate and sugar work. Baking and pastry arts students are ready for employment in patisserie shops, hotels, retail and wholesale bakeries, supermarkets, restaurants, caterers, camps and other food–related businesses.
This 12-month program begins at VIU’s Bakery on the Nanaimo campus, starting in late August through to June when students participate in a 10-week (300-hour) paid work experience component.
Learning at VIU’s Bakery: Students alternate between the yeast baking and pastry courses, switching between the courses every few weeks. Both programs operate under conditions similar to an actual bakery, with deadlines, retail and wholesale customers. A typical day consists of one hour of theory, with the remainder being devoted to practical, hands-on training. Time is scheduled for competitions, shows and off campus visits. Guest bakers, chefs and business owners are often scheduled to partake in the students' learning schedules. Our wood fired brick oven is unique to our facility providing students with training in traditional hearth oven baking. Good attendance is mandatory.
The year is divided into several terms, during which time students increase their levels of competency in ten areas: (1) ovens; (2) breads and buns; (3) sweetened/unsweetened yeasted and croissants; (4) quick breads and cookies; (5) cake baking, finishing and decorating; (6) puff pastries and pies; (7) bakery management; (8) chocolate and sugar work; (9) wood-fired oven and gluten free baking; and (10) fancy pastries. Seasonal, festive and ethnic baking are also covered. Students also participate in a 10-week (300 hours) work experience component in industry to complete the program.
Upon successful completion of the program, students receive the Vancouver Island University Certificate in Professional Baking and Pastry Arts as well as credit for their first year Baker Apprentice technical training and 1200 work experience hours to apply towards obtaining their Red Seal.
For more information and schedules visit VIU's Trades and Applied Technology Apprenticeships. For Apprenticeship Registration: call 1.888.920.2221 Ext. 6227
- Grade 12, or equivalent, or mature student status
- Minimum 17 years of age
- Successful completion of assessment testing
- Submission of copy of Foodsafe Level 1 certificate
- Interview may be required
- Personal profile
- See also Trades general admission requirements
Notes on Admission
- Enrolment in this program is limited. Students who meet or exceed the minimum admission requirements may not necessarily be admitted to the program.
- Must have the ability to stand for 4 hours at a time, and must be capable of lifting 20 kg/44 lbs as per industry standard.
Recommendation for Admission
- High school career food preparation courses
- Food industry experience
| Professional Baking and Pastry Arts |
|---|
| BAKE 122T - (Bakery Professional Capstone Module) |
| BAKE 124T - (Pastry 1 Basic) |
| BAKE 126T - (Pastry 2 Advanced) |
| BAKE 128T - (Yeasted 1 Basic) |
| BAKE 129T - (Yeasted 2 Advanced) |
| BAKE 125 - (Career Prep and Work Experience) |
Note: The Bake Certificate work experience takes place over ten weeks from mid-June to August.
Upon successful completion of the program, Culinary Institute of Vancouver Island baking and pastry arts students are ready for employment in the professional baking and pastry industry — patisserie shops, hotels, retail and wholesale bakeries, supermarkets, restaurants, caterers, camps and other bakery related franchises hire our graduates both in Canada and internationally. The Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program has information about careers and industry standards in baking and pastry.
Domestic Fees
Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees
When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.
When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.
Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.
| Fees | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition (12 months x $499.20 per month) | 5,990.40 |
| Lab fee | 478.22 |
| Student Activity fee (12 months x $19.97 per month) | 239.64 |
| Student Services fee (12 months x $22.05 per month) | 264.60 |
| VIU Students' Union fee (12 months x $27.60 per month) | 331.20 |
| Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) | 285.00 |
| Books and supplies (approximate costs) | 200.00 |
| Baking Kit (approximate costs) | 200.00 |
| Total | 7,989.06 |
The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.
All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.
International Fees
Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees
When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.
When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.
Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.
| Fees | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition (12 months x $2399.31 per month) | 28,791.72 |
| Lab Fee | 478.22 |
| Student Activity fee (12 months x $19.97 per month) | 239.64 |
| Student Services fee (12 months x $22.05 per month) | 264.60 |
| VIU Students' Union fee (12 months x $27.60 per month) | 331.20 |
| Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) | 285.00 |
| Books and supplies (approximate costs) | 200.00 |
| Baking Kit (approximate costs) | 200.00 |
| Total | 30,790.38 |
The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.
All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.
Domestic (Canadian)
| Program Start Date | Accepting Applications | Campus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ongoing | Nanaimo | ||
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Anticipated intake for someone applying today:
Next Intake(s):
The Professional Baking and Pastry Arts program has one intake each Fall.
Application Fee:
$45.16
Waitlist:
No
Testing Required:
Yes
Admissions Assistant:
Name: Helene Viau Phone: 250.753.3245 ext. 2040 Email: Helene.Viau@viu.ca
Chair Contact:
Name: Aron Weber Phone: 250.740.6114 Email: Aron.Weber@viu.ca
Comments:
Important information about the program assessment Vancouver Island University’s Faculty of Trades and Applied Technology Department is administering a self-assessment test which will be emailed to applicants after they have applied. For further information, please email Helene.Viau@viu.ca
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International
| Program Start Date | Accepting Applications | Campus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| to | Nanaimo | ||
|
Anticipated intake for someone applying today:
Next Intake(s):
The Professional Baking and Pastry Arts program has one intake each Fall.
Application Fee:
$150.00
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Waitlist:
No
Testing Required:
Yes
Admissions Assistant:
Name: Helene Viau Phone: 250.753.3245 ext. 2040 Email: Helene.Viau@viu.ca
Chair Contact:
Name: Aron Weber Phone: 250.740.6114 Email: Aron.Weber@viu.ca
Comments:
Vancouver Island University’s Faculty of Trades and Applied Technology Department is administering a self-assessment test which will be emailed out to applicants after they have applied. Enrolment in this program is limited. Students who meet or exceed the minimum admission requirements may not necessarily be admitted to the program. For prospective international applicants, please send your inquiries to WorldVIU@viu.ca. |
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Medina Mayes, A Wee Cupcakery
“I wanted to have my own place where I could bake with butter and create something special with my hands.”