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Giant Eagle Apprentice Programs
Learn the skills and experience needed for your next career
When you join us as an apprentice, you’ll have the opportunity to be part of a team that’s passionate about providing exceptional quality and service from one of our bakery departments or butcher shops.
Our Apprentice Programs are designed to teach you the necessary skills to become a Baker, Cake Decorator or Meat Cutter in less than a year. From the first day, you’ll find the support and tools you need to begin your career in one of our specialized skilled positions.
Your Apprentice Program experience
You’ll be trained and work side-by-side with experienced bakers, cake decorators and meat cutters to help hone your skills and knowledge to offer a wide variety of fresh products that our customers love. Program opportunities may consist of the following:
- Hands-on training by a Giant Eagle Certified Master Trainer and Bakery or Meat Team Leader
- Food and equipment safety training
- Participate in various certifications
- Potential wage increases as you progress through the program
- Gain continuous learning & development as a cake decorator, baker or meat cutter
Team Member benefits
As a family-owned company with strong values, we care deeply about the people who work here. We want you to see Giant Eagle as a place where you can thrive and build a career for years to come. As an Apprentice for Giant Eagle, you can expect top-notch benefits, including but not limited to:
- Paid training
- Job placement upon successful completion of the program
- Part-time or full-time career
- Advancement opportunities
- Medical, dental, vision and prescription, if eligible
- Paid vacation and holidays
- Partner discounts
- Discounts on Own Brand products
The Programs

Cake Decorator
As a Cake Decorator Trainee, you'll learn all about how to decorate our fresh-from-the-oven breads, pastries, cookies, cakes and pies. You'll be trained and certified by a Giant Eagle Certified Master Trainer and Bakery Team Leaders. And in just a few months you'll be on your track to a full-time job as a Certified Cake Decorator. Satisfactory completion of our skills assessment required to become a full-time Cake Decorator.
Cake Decorator Apprentice Program (11 to 18 weeks)
- Cleveland, Columbus, Akron and Canton – Cake Decorator Program lasts approximately 11 weeks.
- Pittsburgh and Surrounding Areas – Cake Decorator Program lasts approximately 18 weeks. This includes 11 weeks of Cake Decorator certifications and 7 weeks of Baker skills certifications.

Meat Cutter
As an Apprentice in training, you’ll learn all the ins and outs of the Retail Meat Business – and how to prepare fresh, delicious cuts of meat for our customers. You’ll be trained under our Master Trainers and Meat Cutters. And, in a few short months, you’ll be on track to a skilled job with scheduled pay raises as you gain experience. Satisfactory completion of our skills assessment required to become a full-time Meat Cutter.
Meat Cutter Apprentice Program (22 weeks)
- Cleveland, Columbus, Akron, Canton, Pittsburgh and Surrounding Areas – Meat Cutter Program lasts approximately 22 weeks.

Baker
As a Baker Trainee, you'll learn all about how to bake our fresh-from-the-oven breads, pastries, cookies, cakes and pies. You'll be trained and certified by a Giant Eagle Certified Master Trainer and Bakery Team Leaders. And in just a few months you'll be on your track to a full-time job as a Certified Baker. Satisfactory completion of our skills assessment required to become a full-time Baker.Baker Apprentice Program (12 to 23 weeks)
- Cleveland, Columbus, Akron and Canton – Baker Program lasts approximately 12 weeks.
- Pittsburgh and Surrounding Areas – Baker Program lasts approximately 23 weeks. This includes 16 weeks of Baker certifications and 7 weeks of Cake Decorator skills certifications.
More Information
Need more information about our Apprentice Programs? Email our Apprenticeship team at: apprenticeship@gianteagle.com