BARISTA SKILLS Level 3 Award

Level 3
Courses For Industry
Newry Campus
OCN NI

Overview

This course is 90% funded by the Department for the Economy and 10% paid by the employer as part of the Skills Focus Programme. To qualify, your business or social enterprise must have less than 250 employees and you must be based in Northern Ireland and operate for profit.

The OCN NI Level 3 Award in Barista Skills is an advanced programme designed for experienced baristas who want to further enhance their knowledge, skills, and expertise in the specialty coffee industry. This award builds upon the foundation of previous barista training and focuses on developing mastery in the art of coffee preparation and customer service.

Throughout the course, participants will delve deeper into the intricacies of coffee, exploring advanced brewing techniques, coffee extraction principles, and sensory analysis. They will gain a comprehensive understanding of coffee origins, farm-to-cup processes, and the factors that influence coffee flavor profiles. Participants will also learn about the latest trends, innovations, and sustainability practices in the specialty coffee industry.

Learners should be at least 16 years of age.
Learners must also be either currently employed in the hospitality and catering industry or have achieved a relevant level 2 qualification in hospitality and catering.

The objectives of the qualification are to enable learners to:

Understand origin, characteristics and production of coffee from crop to market
Be able to evaluate the components and brewing characteristics of coffee
Know different methods and stages of the roasting process and its impact on the extraction and flavour of coffee
Be able to design a safe, hygienic and efficient coffee shop workflow

Customer service and coffee presentation are key components of the Barista Skills Level 3 Award. Participants will refine their communication skills, learn how to engage with customers on a deeper level, and develop the ability to create memorable coffee experiences. They will explore the art of menu design, coffee pairing, and the importance of storytelling in conveying the uniqueness and value of specialty coffees. All of this will be assessed through practical observations, assignment work/coursework and evidence produced through a portfolio of evidence.

The OCN NI Level 3 Award in Barista Skills will allow learners to progress to higher level qualifications in catering and hospitality. Individuals may also choose to further specialise in areas such as coffee roasting, coffee sensory analysis, or coffee business management.

Upon successful completion of the Barista Skills Level 3 Award, participants will achieve a nationally recognised qualification, demonstrating their mastery and expertise as professional baristas. Successful students may pursue career opportunities as head baristas, specialty coffee trainers, coffee shop owners, or coffee consultants.

If you are a company or social enterprise and want to find out about funding opportunities, please contact Business Support on T: 028 3839 7778 or E: betterbusiness@src.ac.uk

Faculty of Professional Services

FacultyPRSE@src.ac.uk 028 3025 9683

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