Local Baking Industry Struggles to Attract Next Generation

The baking industry in Saint Lucia is facing significant challenges in recruitment, retention, and skills development, with many stakeholders expressing concern about the sector’s future. 

Despite notable innovations and opportunities, attracting young people remains a major obstacle, primarily due to perceptions of the job, a lack of skills, and concerns about wages.

To address these issues, the Saint Lucia Technical and Vocational Education and Training (SLUTVET) Council has introduced plans to implement programmes focusing on commercial food preparation and bakery skills. 

Director of SLCTVET, Perry Thomas stressed the importance of collaboration in tackling the problem. 

“It’s a partnership between industry training institutions and ourselves, together with other stakeholders, to actually drive the Workforce Development Initiative. We are all putting our forces together to actually bring home,” he said.

Manager of Manees Bakery, Sylvia Cadasse also noted the need to change perceptions of the baking industry. 

“People do not understand the baking industry. If we see baking as a science, as an alternative to any other profession, once you like what you do and you have the skills, baking should be one of the sought-after provisions,” she said.

The ageing workforce in bakeries has compounded the problem further. Managing Director of Cadasse Bakery, Lena Cadasse, explained, “We are challenged in terms of attracting and retaining young people into our sector. There might be the notion that bakeries don’t pay as well. Yes, we don’t have seasonal benefits like a hotel might do, but there are still good, solid pay scales and remuneration packages available within the baking sector.”

However, young people seem hesitant to pursue careers in baking. A student from Sir Arthur Waldron College shared their perspective: “They will not want to work in a bakery because of the manual labour and the whole point that we are moving into an era where it’s only based on technology, and everything is done for you.”

Players in the sector note that the baking industry has embraced automation and modern techniques, leading to greater efficiency, consistency, and quality.