Jobseekers full of beans after barista training
Wednesday 17 April 2019
A cohort of jobseekers has completed a six-day hospitality course with specialist barista training, enabling them to make the perfect cup of coffee.
People from Beyond Housing’s employability programmes enrolled on the course to learn new skills and help make their CVs standout to prospective employers.
The six-day course provides participants with a range of skills, from basic catering to food safety, allergens, customer service and now barista training. At the end of the programme, local employers are invited to enjoy an afternoon tea prepared and served by the learners, often inviting them for interview and helping them to network.
Johanna Watts, Employer Engagement Officer at Beyond Housing, said: “Regeneration projects across Tees Valley suggest up to 3,000 jobs will be created in the hospitality industry by 2021. This is a huge growth sector which provides significant opportunity for those looking to get back into work.
“Feedback from employers on past courses was that a coffee-making element would add real value to our students’ CVs. We are delighted Caffe Vinci recognises the importance in supporting local people into employment through delivering this new element.”
Beyond Housing’s New Directions programme supports people aged 15 to 29 who are not in education, employment or training with specialist support, information advice and guidance, training, mentoring, apprenticeships, job placements and further education to help these young people meet the needs of local employers. It has a proven track record of matching jobseekers to the needs of a business. Beyond Housing’s Work Hub at Westfield Farm in Dormanstown, provides similar support to jobseekers of all ages.
Stephen Woodgate, sales manager at Caffe Vinci, said: “We had a great session with the group. They really knuckled down, learnt some new skills, and ended the day making really good quality coffee.”
Jeanette Picknett, one of the course participants, said: “I wanted to get involved because I want to improve my prospects of employment. I thought this was a great opportunity to increase my chances in hospitality.”
