Senior students from Anson Street School are using new barista skills and the school’s café to brew up confidence and prepare themselves for life after school.
Over three days, 15 students from years 10-12 completed two units of training with a focus on preparing and serving espresso coffee as well as safe food handling.
The special training provided by VERTO assisted the students with work experience, giving them the skills to run a school café and successfully transition into casual student and post-school employment opportunities.
Anson Street School’s Assistant Principal, Jessica Hodder, said the course gave the students valuable job-ready skills, adding that the trainer, Jonathan Perese, related well to the students.
“The trainer was amazing. Jon was kind and considerate of all the students’ individual learning needs and adjustments,” she said.
“The students enjoyed the course and are looking forward to using their new skills in our school’s café and the workplace. One student has already gained after-school employment at a local café.”
Anson Street School provides specialist and intensive support in a dedicated setting for students with moderate to high learning and support needs.
The school currently operates a café serving takeaway coffee only to staff and students. However, after completing the training, the participants from the barista course will now serve dine-in coffee.
The café simulates work experience in the school to help students gain the skills they need to prepare for long-term employment.
“By working in the café and making and serving coffee, students gain valuable customer service skills and hospitality experience that can be added to their resumes,” Ms Hodder said.
All students who attended the training successfully achieved two units of competency: SITXFSA001 Use hygienic practices for safe food handling and SITHFAB005 Prepare and serve espresso coffee.
VERTO CEO, Ron Maxwell, commended the students for completing the barista training and gaining new skills to transition into future employment.
“It’s wonderful that we can partner with Anson Street School to provide special training for their students,” Mr Maxwell said.
“Our team takes a student-first approach to learning. By putting students at the centre of our training, it helps everyone achieve positive learning outcomes.”
