The Professional Barista
For the first time Barista skills can be developed and rewarded by an internationally recognised qualification - the City & Guilds Barista Level 2 VRQ (Vocationally Related Qualification).
If you have been out of education for some time it may take some explaining as to what this qualification means, who will take it and where. City & Guilds and our Industry experts have put together the answers to many of the frequently asked questions which will help to
de-mystify the whole process:
- What is a VRQ?
- What does the qualification cover?
- Who can take the qualification?
- Where do you take the qualification?
- What is a Centre?
What is a VRQ? - A VRQ (Vocational Related Qualification) is similar to a GCSE that you may take in maths or history, but directly workplace related. The qualification involves both classroom-based learning of the theory but more importantly demonstration of the craft skills required for a Professional Barista. The Barista Skills VRQ is a 'Level 2' indicating that this is an introductory level of knowledge. More advanced skills may be covered in the future by a Level 3 qualification.
What does the qualification cover?
- Although the qualification centres on coffee, espresso particularly, it also covers filter coffee, tea, chocolate, juices and smoothies. For these products four areas of learning are explored:
- The background to the raw materials, their history, production, varieties etc.
- How to produce the range of drinks
- How to operate, care and maintain the machinery
- Customer Service
The information is passed on through a minimum of 20 hours classroom time, as well as practice back in the workplace, before practical and written assessments are taken.
Who can take the qualification? - Whether you are a student at the beginning of your career; opening your first cafe; or just want to brush up on your skills, then the VRQ could be for you. As Barista training companies all the way through to your local college start to offer the qualification then the course becomes available to all.
The aim of the course is to reach out to those in their teens who are learning catering skills at college. The teaching of catering skills is long established for these people but with little or no emphasis on coffee. The effect of these people starting their careers with a desire to offer quality coffee could be a revelation to our Industry.
Where do you take the qualification? - To find your nearest "Centre" please click here
What is a Centre? - To find out more about "Centres" please click here
During his tenure as Chair of the BSA in 2006 /07 Jim Devlin shared his vision of the Professional Barista qualification with the City & Guilds and industry colleagues. Together, they all pursued this initiative to create a qualification that encompasses all the skills in coffee; tea; chocolate; juices and smoothies - the full range of drinks you would expect from a quality café. Thank you to them all.
