Puratos Canada launches bakery school program in Mississauga, Ont.

Puratos Canada has opened its first Canadian bakery school program at Father Michael Goetz Catholic Secondary School in Mississauga, Ont.

The curriculum, developed in partnership with the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, will provide hands-on training in bakery, patisserie, chocolate and complementary culinary fundamentals to grade 11 and 12 students.

The program is designed to “address ongoing skilled labour shortages in the baking and food manufacturing sectors, youth employment gaps in underserved communities and the need for inclusive education pathways for neurodivergent students,” states a press release.

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“We are proud to open the first Puratos bakery school in Canada at Father Michael Goetz Catholic Secondary School, just minutes from our Canadian headquarters in Mississauga,” said Michael Simone, president, Puratos Canada, in the release.

The school’s location near Puratos’ Mississauga facility enables students to engage directly with industry professionals through guest speakers, program support and mentorship.

The inaugural class will include approximately 25 students in 2026, with additional students joining the program each year.

The school also supports Puratos’ global ambition to operate 20 bakery schools by 2030.

Puratos operates 13 bakery schools in 12 countries including in South Africa, India and Vietnam. The first bakery school opened in 2014.