Students who successfully complete the programme will be able to gain employment at Aeon branches nationwide.

The school’s main objective is to boost Aeon’s efforts to continue grooming young talents as well as provide an opportunity for Malaysians with a passion for baking, or for those who want to acquire a new skill.

Aeon Co (M) Bhd managing director Shinobu Washizawa said: “This initiative to provide guaranteed employment with the company is our endeavour to support a niche division of the food segment in the country.

Present to launch the event was Human Resources Ministry Skills Development Department director-general Nidzam Kamarulzaman.

This was followed by the unveiling of the Aeon Bakery School logo and a tour of the school.

Endorsed by the Skills Development Department, the programme will be conducted by qualified professionals with over 22 years of experience under Aeon’s Merchandising Bakery team and Aeon Food Processing Centre.

These divisions are responsible for providing training to new bakers, creating new recipes as well as managing the production, preparation, handling and transportation of raw materials and ingredients to the branches.

To ensure the programme is in line with Malaysian education standards, the format used is similar to the skills training centre programme, where there is 20% emphasis on baking theories and 80% on industrial training.

Students undergo a two-and-a-half-month theory class at Aeon Bakery School at Aeon Mall Metro Prima before continuing industrial training for five-and-a-half months at one of the five registered Aeon branches – Bandar Utama and Metro Prima in Selangor, and Mid Valley, Taman Maluri and Wangsa Maju, in Kuala Lumpur.

The programme offers two intakes annually with up to 25 students per intake.

Students receive a monthly allowance throughout the course, in addition to insurance coverage.

Transportation and accommodation are also provided during the programme.

Upon graduation, they will be awarded the Malaysian Skills Certificate (Level 2) from the Skills Development Department, and later absorbed as permanent in-house bakers at selected Aeon bakeries.

Application for admission to the baking school programme is open to all Malaysians and selected Aeon employees aged 18 to 27.

Applicants must have either Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) or Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) qualifications.

Full-time Aeon employees who have served in any department for more than six months are also eligible to apply.

“Through this pilot project, we hope for Aeon to lead the way in cultivating talents of international standards in the baking industry,” said Washizawa.

Later, the first batch of Aeon Bakery School students received their offer letters from Aeon Co (M) Bhd.

Washizawa received the Training Centre and Company Accreditation Certificate and the Induction Course Certificate on behalf of the school from Nidzam.

Interested applicants can get the registration form from the Customer Service counter at any Aeon branch nationwide.