Pâtisserie and Confectionery

WorldSkills Occupational Standards (WSOS)

Occupation description and WSOS

The name of the skill competition is

Description of the associated work role(s) or occupation(s)

The Pâtisserie and Confectionery trades have highly skilled professionals who produce a wide range of intricate and predominantly sweet items. They produce various confectionery products such as hand finished chocolates, candies, and miniatures for service in hotels and restaurants or for retail in specialist shops and outlets. Pâtissiers/Confectioners produce a full range of hot and cold desserts, cakes, biscuits, and iced products for service in luxury/boutique hotels, restaurants, and pastry shops for retail sale. They may also produce elaborate display pieces using chocolate, sugar, ice, marzipan, or other decorative materials and ingredients. Some may specialize in producing decorated and themed cakes for special events. A high degree of specialist knowledge and skill is required.

Pâtissiers/Confectioners undergo several years of training to develop the levels of skill required. They are proficient in a wide range of specialist techniques to produce and decorate confectionery and sweet items. An artistic talent and gastronomic flair are required alongside the ability to work effectively and economically to achieve outstanding results within set timeframes, budgets and dietary constraints.

In some circumstances the Pâtissiers/Confectioners need to work directly with clients, so good customer service skills are required alongside the ability to discuss a client’s needs and to offer advice and guidance. The ability to work on their own initiative is essential.

The Expert practitioner uses a range of specialist equipment and materials. They must take account of the quality of ingredients, respect those ingredients, and work to high levels of food hygiene and health and safety.

Pâtissiers/Confectioners are likely to work in upmarket hotels and restaurants. In some countries, specialist retail shops which sell hand-made and decorated pastry products, cakes and confectionery products, also rely on the skills of Pâtissiers/Confectioners. Some work on a self-employed basis and also work directly to clients' requirements for specialized products.

The WorldSkills Occupational Standards (WSOS)

General notes on the WSOS

The WSOS specifies the knowledge, understanding, skills, and capabilities that underpin international best practice in technical and vocational performance. These are both specific to an occupational role and also transversal. Together they should reflect a shared global understanding of what the associated work role(s) or occupation(s) represent for industry and business (www.worldskills.org/WSOS).

The skill competition is intended to reflect international best practice as described by the WSOS, to the extent that it can. The Standard is therefore a guide to the required training and preparation for the skill competition.

In the skill competition the assessment of knowledge and understanding will take place through the assessment of performance. There will only be separate tests of knowledge and understanding where there is an overwhelming reason for these.

The Standard is divided into distinct sections with headings and reference numbers added.

Each section is assigned a percentage of the total marks to indicate its relative importance within the Standards. This is often referred to as the “weighting”. The sum of all the percentage marks is 100. The weightings determine the distribution of marks within the Marking Scheme.

Through the Test Project, the Marking Scheme will assess only those skills and capabilities that are set out in the WorldSkills Occupational Standards. They will reflect the Standards as comprehensively as possible within the constraints of the skill competition.

The Marking Scheme will follow the allocation of marks within the Standards to the extent practically possible. A variation of up to five percent is allowed, if this does not distort the weightings assigned by the Standards.

WorldSkills Occupational Standards

Section		Relative importance (%)
1	Work organization and management	14
	The individual needs to know and understand: Basic principles involved in accurately combining ingredients to achieve optimum results and troubleshooting when results are not as planned The manipulation of raw materials through production techniques The factors affecting ingredients used in pastry work and confectionery including seasons, availability, costs, storage, and use Colour applications, taste combinations and texture co-ordination Finesse and artistic appreciation in finishing products The importance of minimizing waste, sustainability, and respect for all ingredients The importance of effective teamwork and communication within the team and with customers Responsiveness to unexpected situations and demands Planning for good time management.
	The individual shall be able to: Check and prepare tools and equipment to maximize workflow and efficiency Prioritize and plan work effectively to work within a given timeframe Show respect for raw materials and finished goods Use ingredients cost effectively and to minimize waste Pre-order goods and materials accurately for planned work Demonstrate inspiration, gastronomic flair and innovation in design and work techniques Work within given themes Follow detailed written and verbal instructions and copy from images Produce portfolios for clients that include images of products and methods of making and presentation, along with visionary statements if requested React professionally and effectively to unexpected situations and requests Formulate and substitute other ingredients to overcome unforeseen shortages Communicate effectively with colleagues, teams, and clients Produce a varied range of products within given timeframes and present at stipulated times.
2	Food hygiene and health (including dietary), safety, and environment	10
	The individual needs to know and understand: Requirements for health including dietary and allergens, safety, and environment, food hygiene and legislation relating to the production, display, and sale of products Legislation and good practice relating to the use and care of speciality tools and equipment and safe working methods The causes of food spoilage Quality indicators for fresh, preserved, and dry goods Safe temperature zones for production and service.
	The individual shall be able to: Work hygienically, taking responsibility for regulations for food storage, preparation, cooking, and service Respond effectively to overcome adverse environmental conditions which may not be as expected Pay attention to own cleanliness and appearance at all times Observe all safety processes and requirements in relation to dietary and allergy information Prepare accurate menus and account for obligatory declarations such as dietary and allergy information Ensure all work areas and equipment are cleaned to the highest standards and equipment is replaced Work safely and uphold accident prevention regulations Use tools and equipment safely and within manufacturers’ instructions Store all commodities and made products safely and hygienically Observe service temperatures of all products during production and service, to maintain health and safety.
3	Cakes, gateaux, and entremets	14
	The individual needs to know and understand: A comprehensive range of cakes, gateaux, and entremets, classical and contemporary Methods of production, storage, and presentation of cakes, gateaux, and entremets Specialist tools used in the production of cakes, gateaux, and entremets The range of ingredients used to produce and decorate cakes, gateaux, and entremets Variances in international customs and practices and dietary considerations Different expectations and definitions relating to cakes, gateaux, and entremets Optimum temperatures for consumption.
	The individual shall be able to: Produce a comprehensive range of cakes using various techniques, types of cake and decorations, including those based on given themes and topics Construct and finish a comprehensive range of gateaux demonstrating flair and innovation Produce a comprehensive range of entremets effectively incorporating such layers as sponge, biscuit, creams, custards, ganache, jellies, mousses, fruits etc. Produce cakes, gateaux, and entremets to a high quality for taste with appropriate combinations, texture, presentation, and decoration Ensure yield products are of consistent and accurate size, weight, quality, and appearance, taking account of portion control and costs and minimizing waste Combine tastes, textures, and colours effectively Present cakes, gateaux, and entremets to maximize appeal and to be appropriate for the occasion, environment, and style of service. and within set times Serve all cakes at safe and appealing temperatures for consumption.
4	Hot, cold, iced and plated desserts	13
	The individual needs to know and understand: A range of classical and contemporary hot, cold, and iced desserts including methods of production, ingredients, alternative presentations, and costs of production Allergies and dietary restrictions The range of ingredients used to produce hot, cold, iced, and plated desserts, their storage seasons, availability, and costs How hot, cold, iced, and plated desserts can be presented and safely served in a range of settings and occasions to reflect traditional/classical and contemporary trends The use and impact of raising agents including yeast, baking powder, egg whites, and any innovative, modern commodities The range and scope of hot, cold, iced, and plated dessert products Waste management when producing and serving hot, cold, iced, and plated desserts.
	The individual shall be able to: Produce a range of hot, cold, and iced desserts to a consistently high standard with or without allergens and other dietary considerations Use appropriate cooking methods, including baking, and ensure all products are safe and desirable to eat Present plated desserts that are tidy, appropriately flavoured, and textured, well-co-ordinated, innovative, and balanced Present desserts for service for a range of settings and occasions such as street-food concepts, buffets, banquets and for fine dining. Follow instructions, recipes, and dish specifications in order to produce desserts spontaneously React to shortages of ingredients or changes and supplement appropriately safeguard against over-production utilize excess with other products Use methods which are feasible to the equipment available Present at optimum safe temperatures.
5	Confectionery and chocolate	13
	The individual needs to know and understand: A range of chocolate and confectionery items The methods of tempering chocolate couverture by manual techniques The types, qualities, and uses of various chocolate couverture and chocolate products The principle of producing a range of sugar-based products, such as fruit jelly, marshmallow, nougat, nougatine, or any other specialities with a variety of sugars and sugar replacements to respond to dietary needs Sustainability and ethics of chocolate sources Safety issues when handling hot sugar products Dietary and allergen information about the ingredients being used to produce confectionery and chocolates and effective substitution possibilities.
	The individual shall be able to: Temper chocolate couvertures in order to produce products with shine and “snap” that do not show signs of fat or sugar bloom Work with dark, milk, and white chocolate couvertures effectively and economically within limited timescales Pipe, fill, layer, cut etc. chocolates and confectionery of even size and character Combine and co-ordinate textures and tastes Dip and coat products using hand dipping forks to achieve neat and fine coverings Use moulds to achieve acceptable lining and capping Produce and use ganache Present confectionery and chocolates with style for service or sale Store confectionery, chocolate, and chocolate ingredients and products to maximize life and quality Produce and use decorations appropriately including caramelized and candied fruits, nuts, herbs, and chocolate shapes (piped, cut, moulded etc) Produce chocolates and confectionery to specific weights and sizes and quantity. Minimize and care for waste Produce and present a range of confectionery products using a variety of skills and ingredients Pay attention to any overriding dietary factors Accommodate unexpected requests and plan work accordingly Work systematically and safely with hot products.
6	Miniatures, and individual cakes	13
	The individual needs to know and understand: A range of products and ingredients, including dietary and allergy information Techniques, and methods of presentation for miniatures, and small cakes. Storage and display of miniatures, individual cakes, and pastries The importance of portion control in commercial catering operations.
	The individual shall be able to: Produce a range of pastries and use them appropriately including short, choux, sweet, sable, etc. Produce a range of individual cakes, and biscuits Produce finished products within a brief to consistent and accurate quality, weight, and size within set timeframes Produce miniatures, individual cakes, based on sweet biscuits and cake combinations including: Dry cakes and pastries Decorations; Present miniatures, individual and cakes accordingly to market demand.
7	Presentation pieces	12
	The individual needs to know and understand: The impact of display or presentation pieces The situations where a presentation piece may be used The impact of the environment (exposure to heat, light, and humidity) on presentation pieces The range of materials, tools and techniques that can be used to produce presentation pieces Specific safety issues relating to sugar work and the handling of specialist equipment How to achieve skilful, dramatic and results without relying on specialist-made moulds.
	The individual shall be able to: Create designs that reflect themes or topics assigned and have elegance with neat forms and finishing Design presentation pieces demonstrating artistic flair and innovation while taking account of clients' needs and any restrictions relating to venues or environments Produce chocolate presentation pieces employing techniques such as pouring, moulding, cutting, piping, brushing, polishing, sculpting and carving and modelling chocolate Produce presentation pieces using sugar, employing techniques such as poured sugar, pulled sugar, blown sugar, moulded sugar, pastillage, nougatine, etc. Produce presentation pieces designed to be eaten Apply colour to sugar and chocolate pieces Use specialist tools for sugar and chocolate work with minimum pre-made moulds Work effectively from brief and manage work programmes within allotted timescales Produce presentation pieces within prescribed sizes, adjust and manipulate to suit any changes.
8	Modelling in various media	11
	The individual needs to know and understand: The effect that the process of modelling and moulding has on materials used The visual impact of displays using modelled forms The range of materials that can be effectively used to produce modelled forms Techniques and methods of modelling, moulding, colouring, and presenting modelled forms Where and when modelling is effective and appropriate to use.
	The individual shall be able to: Hand mould smooth and crack-free marzipan and sugar paste forms to include themes or topics such as figures, fruits, animals, and flowers Visualize and produce pieces as requested by the client verbally or pictorially Produce hand-moulded forms to correct sizes and weights Colour modelled pieces using a variety of techniques including air brushing, painting, flaming, and the use of colours When appropriate, use modelling tools such as cutters, moulds, and presses Design figures creatively and harmoniously in form and colour Present stylish and co-ordinated displays of models Decorate with royal icing and chocolate to highlight features Observe strict health and safety procedures when hand-modelling Work within time constraints.
	Total	100

References for industry consultation

General notes

WorldSkills is committed to ensuring that the WorldSkills Occupational Standards fully reflect the dynamism of internationally recognized best practice in industry and business. To do this WorldSkills approaches a number of organizations across the world that can offer feedback on the draft Description of the Associated Role and WorldSkills Occupational Standards on a two-yearly cycle.

In parallel to this, WSI consults three international occupational classifications and databases:

ISCO-08: (http://www.ilo.org/public/english/bureau/stat/isco/isco08/)
ESCO: (https://ec.europa.eu/esco/portal/home )
O*NET OnLine (www.onetonline.org/)

References

This WSOS (Section 2) appears to relate most closely to Confectioner:
https://data.europa.eu/esco/occupation/e00c46c4-bd3c-4d88-8d30-fc6f951554bd

and Pastry Chef:
https://data.europa.eu/esco/occupation/e00c46c4-bd3c-4d88-8d30-fc6f951554bd

These links also enable a review of adjacent occupations.

ILO 7512

The following table indicates which organizations were approached and provided valuable feedback for the Description of the Associated Role and WorldSkills Occupational Standards in place for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026.

Organization	Contact name
Confiserie Roggwiller AG	Vanessa Schnyder, Production Manager
Continental Patisserie Australia Pty Ltd	Jian Yao, Managing Director
The Gumnut Patisserie Pty Ltd	Tracy Nickl, Owner, Pastrychef