NAIROBI, Kenya – In the face of rising youth unemployment, baking has emerged as a creative and lucrative career choice that promises financial independence and fosters entrepreneurship.
From local bakeries to global pastry chains, the demand for skilled bakers continues to rise, making it a viable option for young people seeking sustainable livelihoods.
For instance, Vivian Chemtai is an alumna of the Nairobi College of Bread and Confectionery Technology (NCBCT) and is currently the founder of Bakers BountyKE, based in Langata, Nairobi.
In an exclusive interview with Y News, she recalled that her passion for baking was something she learnt from her father, who used to bake for them when they were young. She admired the art of baking.
She joined NCBCT and pursued baking as a career to pursue her dreams. This allowed Vivian to explore her creativity and grow it to the next level.
“Despite having acquired some baking skills, I still needed to have the requisite papers to enable me to work globally or venture into entrepreneurship,” Vivian said.
Why the Kenyan youth should embrace baking as a career
According to Vivian, the only institution that offered quality baking training was NCBCT, which specialises entirely in training bakers nationwide.
When reached for comment, Joseph Maina Ngumi, the founder of NCBCT, urged the Kenyan youth to embrace baking as a career path and source of income.
“We have just witnessed the release of the 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination results, and out of the 900,000 students who sat for the examination, only 200,000 will have direct entry into universities,” Ngumi told Y News.
Ngumi observed that the remaining students would be left to join technical training institutes.
“The magic bullet for our youth is to enrol in a baking course where they learn hands-on training in this sector,” Ngumi said.
What is the influence of the global bakery market
According to market research, the global bakery market is projected to reach $625 billion by 2027, driven by urbanisation, changing consumer tastes, and a preference for fresh, quality products.
Local economies had also witnessed a surge in home-based baking businesses, particularly during the pandemic, when many turned to baking as a source of income.
These ventures demonstrate how baking can be both an accessible and scalable career path.
Despite the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Curriculum Development, Assessment and Certification Council (TVET-CDACC) having already approved the baking technology curriculum, most students’ main challenge is finding a key institution specialising in training bakers.
“Worldwide employers require practically trained bakers, but there were no special institutions to train them professionally in Kenya. Currently, Nairobi College of Bread and Confectionery Technology is the only registered institution that specialises in the professional training of bakers. By training more professional bakers, they can venture into entrepreneurship and will end up exporting labour to other countries,” explained Ngumi.
How NCBCT is supporting students to establish start-ups
Another NCBCT graduate, Sharon Rono, shared with Y News the experience she acquired from the Nairobi-based institution.
“Apart from acquiring the baking skills, we were also taught how to start and manage our baking startups, and this has enabled me to fully venture into baking as an entrepreneur,” Rono recounted.
Y News understands that today, Rono earns a living through baking.
“With the skills I attained in school, I can train others with interest in baking before referring them to my alma mater (NCBCT) to gain more skills and get a certificate,” said Rono.
Meanwhile, Ngumi stated that most other TVET institutions countrywide had divided attention by offering multiple programs.
“I believe that by concentrating on providing the best training in baking and confectionery technology, we have produced most of the professional bakers and confectioners in Kenya whom employers have preferred to employ, and this is due to our unique and employer-driven courses, which are product-based,” explained Ngumi.
Which courses does the Nairobi-based NCBCT institution offer
He observed that the training mode is hands-on and practical to impact competency training for the global job market.
Currently, the college offers short craft and artisan courses and diplomas mainly examined by TVET CDACC and NITA.
“Our trainers or tutors are highly skilled with industry experience, some having been trained and worked in Kenya and overseas countries. This ensures that the college graduates are well-prepared to meet the demands of employers here in Kenya and globally,” Ngumi said.
Another youth, Martin Ngaira, graduated from NCBCT and is employed as a baker at one of Nairobi’s leading baking firms.
“The training at NCBCT helped me to hone my technical skills in pastry and bread making but also instilled a deep respect for precision and creativity. The school’s emphasis on traditional techniques and innovative approaches gave me the confidence to experiment and develop my unique style,” Martin told Y News.
How skilled baking can open up more doors for career progression
Martin opined to Y News that baking had deepened his sense of creativity and discipline and opened up doors for career growth.
“Watching people enjoy something I have created is incredibly rewarding and motivates me to push boundaries. Baking has also given me a platform to share my love for the craft, whether through teaching, collaborating, or creating products that bring people happiness,” explained Martin.
Ngumi is also the author of four books on baking technology: How to Start and Manage a Medium-Sized Bakery, Pastry Products (Principles and Practice), Cake Decorations (Principles and Practice), Bread Making, and Cake Making.
This came when local economies had also witnessed a surge in home-based baking businesses, particularly during the pandemic, when many turned to baking as a source of income.
These ventures demonstrate how baking can be both an accessible and scalable career path.
