Skip
About Us
About Us Current Vacancies News Corporate Information Events Our History
Contact Us
Current Students
Links for Current Students Change Password Moodle Student Portal Email and Apps Library and Learning Skills Student Administration and Support Submit a Student Request Campus Locations and Facilities
Staff
Links for Staff Staff Portal Change Password Moodle Email and Apps Virtual Desktop
Personalised for LOCAL students.
You're considered a local student if you are an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, a holder of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa or a New Zealand citizen.
Personalised for INTERNATIONAL students.
You're considered an international student if you are not an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, a holder of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa or a New Zealand citizen.
Overview Career Pathways Course details Fees & Costs Requirements Next Steps
About Melbourne Polytechnic
News and Events
News
A pathway of his own: gaining the skills and confidence to start a patisserie business

A pathway of his own: gaining the skills and confidence to start a patisserie business

Aug 17 2026
After helpful advice from a career adviser, Michael could plan a study pathway of his own

When Michael was in Year 11, he wasn't sure what the future would look like. 

Like many students, he assumed secondary school was the only pathway to success. But when school no longer felt like the right fit, he discovered there were other options available, and that finding the right learning environment could make all the difference. 

Today, Michael runs his own business, Sweet Treats by Michael, selling handmade baked goods and specialty treats across Melbourne and regional Victoria. 

It's a future he never imagined when he was struggling to find direction as a high school student. 

Finding a different pathway 

Before studying at Melbourne Polytechnic, Michael was trying to complete Year 11. 

"It really wasn't for me," he says. 

"I wasn't doing well and I decided to leave school, but I also didn't know what I wanted to do next." 

Before finishing school, Michael met with a career pathways adviser who introduced him to the wide range of courses available at Melbourne Polytechnic. 

"I was surprised there were so many. I went over the courses and patisserie stood out. I was like, that's what I want to do." 

Equipped with this information and confidence in his next steps, Michael enrolled in a Certificate III in Patisserie SIT31021 at Melbourne Polytechnic.  

That moment gave Michael something he had been missing: a clear direction and a pathway towards a career he was genuinely excited about.  

Choosing Melbourne Polytechnic 

Melbourne Polytechnic quickly became the obvious choice. 

The campus was only a 15-minute walk from home, making studying more accessible and affordable. 

"Having something local was really helpful," Michael says. 

"My budget for study also wouldn't cover anything in the city, not just the extra cost of those courses, but getting to the city and back each day and all the additional costs associated with that." 

For students considering what comes after school, Michael believes accessibility matters. Having a quality training provider close to home helped remove barriers and made it easier to focus on learning. 

Rediscovering a love of learning 

Michael had always enjoyed baking. Food Technology was his favourite subject at school, and he loved making cookies, fudges, and other sweet treats at home. 

But what surprised him most was how much he enjoyed studying. 

After struggling to engage in secondary school, Melbourne Polytechnic offered a completely different experience. 

"I really enjoyed being at Melbourne Polytechnic." 

"I didn't find it boring, and I didn't have any anxiety about studying here. It wasn't a struggle." 

The supportive learning environment played a significant role in helping Michael build confidence. 

"All of the teachers were great. They were all helpful and always open to answering extra questions, even industry questions about life after studying." 

Learning through real-world experiences 

One of Michael's standout memories was helping deliver a High Tea event as part of his course. 

Students planned menus, reviewed recipes, organised production and worked together to prepare and plate food for service. 

"We were in the kitchen, getting everything plated up and ready to go for service. I loved being part of the whole process for making this event happen." 

The project brought together the technical, planning, and teamwork skills students develop throughout their studies, while providing a real taste of working in the industry. 

Building a business from scratch 

After graduating in 2018, Michael turned his passion into a business. 

What began as making sweet treats from his home kitchen has grown into a thriving operation that supplies markets across Melbourne and Victoria. 

Before launching, Michael worked through council approvals, permits and business registration requirements before taking his products to local markets. 

Today, his Christmas cookies are among his most popular products, and he regularly attends more than 15 markets throughout the festive season. 

"I felt relieved that I could use all the skills I learned to create a business." 

"I went from nothing, thinking there were no possibilities for me, to baking sweet treats at home and selling them." 

There are many paths to success 

Michael's story is a reminder that everyone's journey through secondary school is different. For students who may be unsure about their next step, alternative pathways can open doors to meaningful careers and opportunities they may never have considered. 

Through Melbourne Polytechnic, Michael found a learning environment that suited him, developed industry skills, and gained the confidence to build a successful business of his own.