Through our partnerships with the AUT School of Hospitality, Woolworths and local bakeries, as well as organisations who support the refugee community, we have come together and are committed to the success of this initiative. This collaborative approach has given us the opportunity to incorporate the voice of the former refugee community and to hear from future employers, helping us tailor our programme to teach the relevant skills sought in the industry.
Having migrated to New Zealand from Yugoslavia in 1995 with her family, our founder, Ana Djokovic, has experienced the difficulties faced integrating into a new culture, learning a new language, and forming a new home. In the 1990s, many of those entering New Zealand as refugees were from Yugoslavia, in response to the humanitarian crises following the ethnic conflicts and wars of independence.
In an effort to help the refugee community in New Zealand, Ana started to research sustainable approaches to integration. Through conversations with local communities of refugees and the organisations who support them, and as evidenced by Government reports, it was clear that connection to employment was a key barrier.
With that in mind, The Bread Collective was created as a way to support those who have arrived to New Zealand as refugees into employment, through the art of baking.
Baking is universal. Every culture has its own form of bread, pastry, or baked delicacy, and each tells a story of care, creativity, and connection. Bread is one of the oldest shared foods, symbolising nourishment, hospitality, and community. With care, precision, time, and a little patience, we can transform simple ingredients into something that brings people together.
At the Bread Collective, we see baking as both a craft and a way to connect people across cultures through shared experience, collaboration, and learning.
Aotearoa New Zealand is also in need of skilled bakers to sustain our bakeries and meet growing demand. There is a recognised shortage of qualified professionals in this industry, and a need for ongoing workforce development. Through our programme, The Bread Collective will connect graduates with employment opportunities, supporting both the growth of local communities and the strength of our economy.
The baking made by the students in our programme represents belonging, confidence, and the joy of sharing something meaningful with others.