How to become a barista

Anyone can become a barista. The technical side of the profession (operation and maintenance of the coffee machine) does not cause any particular difficulties and requires only attention and accuracy.

^{The technical side of the profession requires attention and accuracy.}

^{With experience comes the ability to choose the right tone for communicating with clients and a sufficient amount of knowledge to satisfy any visitor’s interest or answer their most tricky question.}

On-the-job training

<sup>The simplest and most common way is to obtain a specialty during an internship. In chain cafes (Starbucks, Shokoladnitsa, Coffee House, Coffee Like), baristas are trained by company managers and the entire process takes 2-7 working days. During this time, a newcomer masters basic skills in working with a machine, several recipes, gets acquainted with the basic rules of etiquette and service standards. The rest of the knowledge comes with experience and as a result of self-education.

This is the most extensive form of training, since the knowledge gained is immediately consolidated in practice. In addition, it is also profitable: the company pays the intern for each training day.</sup>

Training courses

<sup>You can also learn about the profession at specialized barista courses organized by experienced coaches and masters. Their duration ranges from 5-7 days to 1-3 months. Trainings are conducted online, offline or in a mixed type (theory + practical classes), and their cost varies from 2 to 6 thousand USD.

The most popular forms of training:</sup>

• training centers (schools) at large companies;
• master classes from famous experts;
• Online learning on the Internet.

^{You can learn about the profession in training centers.}

Courses that, upon completion, award certificates, diplomas, or documents certifying the acquisition of a specialty and confirming the graduate's qualifications are especially valued.

Academic programs

In US, the study of the profession in universities and technical schools is carried out within the framework of the academic course "Product Technology and Organization of Public Catering". One semester (4-5 months) is allocated for it. During this time, the student receives a good theoretical base and skills in working with a coffee machine. The course is designed to train specialists in the restaurant, tourism and hotel business.

Abroad, training programs implemented under the auspices of large coffee associations, which since 2017 have united into the SCA (The Specialty Coffee Association), are highly valued.

In Europe, the most prestigious are:

• Berlin and London Schools of Coffee;
• Spanish Coffee Institute;
• Italian courses 9Bar.

In America:

• American School of Barista and Coffee;
• Canadian Academy;
• coffee schools Best, Klatch Roasting, Espresso Trainer.

Since 2010, the program of the non-profit organization FareStart has been very popular in the USA, offering young homeless people, among other professions, the opportunity to master the profession of a barista. As part of social assistance, the organizers provide training and help their students find employment. Thanks to it, more than 60% of graduates find permanent work.

Nuances of employment

The most common way to get a job is through a recommendation (acquaintance). Employers are willing to hire young people, school graduates and students. However, preference is always given to those applicants whose resume indicates work experience or presents a certificate (diploma) of completion of specialized courses.

Working conditions

Work in a coffee shop is characterized by impulsive employment - during a shift, periods of downtime are replaced by an influx of visitors, and vice versa. Employers always offer flexible work schedules: 2/2, 3/3 or by agreement with the shift worker (in case of emergency). The employee has access to free coffee without limitation.