– BARISTA COURSE –
The SCA Barista Course will give you the barista training and skills you need, and provide you with a recognised qualification to either begin or further your career as a barista. Whether coffee is your passion, your job, or a career opportunity waiting to happen, having the core skills is vital.
The Scottish Barista Academy is the only barista academy in Scotland. Set in a beautiful location, our training room is specifically designed to meet the needs of our range of courses.
We’ll give you our dedicated attention in small classes, perfectly designed to ensure you learn all the foundation skills required for the Barista course.
Our trainer is a fully qualified SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) and City & Guilds trainer. His passion about coffee (and all things coffee related) shines through, and he will share this passion with you to ensure you have the best training and experience possible.
All our barista courses are certified by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), giving you a worldwide recognised qualification in the coffee industry.
You can study the Scottish Barista Academy Barista course at three levels:
SCA Barista Course – Foundation: you will learn all the foundation skills needed to build on before advancing to the Intermediate course.
SCA Barista Course – Intermediate: you will continue your journey through the history, development and the making of a perfect cup of coffee.
SCA Barista Course – Professional: you will learn how to quickly rise to the rank of trainer, manager or even how to run your own café.
As all our Barista courses are supported by an industry recognised qualification, they will help you continue on your chosen career path whether as a coffee shop roaster or managing the production process.
Click on the drop downs below to find out more:
BARISTA COURSE FOUNDATION
BARISTA COURSE – FOUNDATION
Scottish Barista Academy Barista Course Foundation
Course Duration: 1 Day – 9.30am to 4.30pm
Points Gained: 5
£320 with SCA Certificate
Do you need help setting up your machine? Learn how to set your grinder for perfect espresso extraction, foam and texture your milk, the full range of drinks that a café would provide and the care and maintenance of your machine. You’ll go home with the skills to produce a cup of coffee to wow your family, friends or customers.
The SCA Barista training (Foundation) will allow you to gain both valuable barista training and proof of your course to take with you to show a future employer, will give you the chance to follow a rewarding career that is in demand throughout the world.
The Scottish Barista School offers coffee training and barista training in Glasgow and Edinburgh, although tailored courses can be offered nationally. Contact us to discuss your exact requirements. The Academy is located in Livingston, West Lothian where we offer the SCA modules and diploma, meaning you gain a recognised qualification to allow you to continue on your chosen career path. All our courses are hands on and give you the chance to learn the most important part of coffee brewing, the tasting.
Successful Candidates Will Gain The Core Skills Needed To Be A Barista, Including…
- Understanding what influences the different flavours of coffee and the key differences between Arabica and Robusta.
- How to store and how soon you have to use coffee beans.
- The knowledge and skills needed to use a grinder and espresso machine.
- How to prepare and present an espresso to a customer.
- Foaming milk to make the perfect cup of coffee.
- Most importantly tasting coffees and being able to distinguish the types of coffee from those amazing flavours alone.
Whilst this course is for people with no experience it is recommended (but not mandatory) that you have taken Introduction to Coffee before starting on this course, the perfect start to your diploma or just to awaken the coffee connoisseur within.
Is The SCA Foundation Barista Skills Course For You?
- Have you bought, or are planning to buy an espresso machine?
- Are you planning to work in, or open your own café?
- Are you using an espresso machine, and want to get better results?
If you’ve answered yes to any of the above then sign up now. Whilst the course is aimed at those using commercial espresso machines, home baristas are more than welcome and will come away with a whole new understanding of commercial coffee brewing.
So if you have a love of coffee, feel you need barista training, or need to learn more about serving coffee to customers then sign up now.
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
- By Train: The nearest railway station to the Scottish Barista Academy is Livingston North. If you are arriving by train, please let us know the day before the course, and we will organise a pick up from the station.
- By Plane: We’ll pick you up from Edinburgh airport; just let us know your flight times.
- By Car: Parking is available at our premises EH54 6TW
TESTIMONIALS
“I had never drunk coffee prior to enquiring about a course at the Scottish Barista School but I was looking to open up my own Coffee House in Edinburgh so needed to develop my skills in the art of coffee making. From the first phone call with Jim I was blown away by his passion for his trade. Very quickly Jim opened my eyes up to the world of coffee and I completed two foundation courses at the school. Jim’s passion is unerring and his ability to impart his knowledge and develop the complex skills required to brew and serve coffee is exceptional. Not only has he taught me the specialist courses but he has offered continued support throughout my coffee journey, always on hand to offer guidance and advice in order to develop me as a barista. Furthermore, the coffee he produces is out of this world and I wouldn’t be the success, and have achieved my 5-star reviews if it wasn’t for him!”
Nick Keenan
My Front Room
Barista Foundation
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INTERMEDIATE
BARISTA SKILLS COURSE – INTERMEDIATE
Please note that the Intermediate Barista Course is a full 2 day course that is face to face we do not carry out on-line sessions with lunch being provided.
The course costs
Scottish Barista Academy Intermediate Barista Course Duration: 2 Days – 9.30am to 4.30pm Points Gained: 10
Aimed at people who have the skills of a barista that has been working for 6 months or more in the coffee industry, and already has the foundation knowledge of brewing coffee and serving customer, the SCA Barista Skills (Intermediate) will give you the training and skills you need, and provide you with a recognised qualification to further your confidence and career. The Scottish Barista Academy is a leading provider in coffee training and barista training, located in Livingston, West Lothian, we offer courses nationwide, although the majority of our courses are in or around Glasgow and Edinburgh. Contact us to discuss your exact requirements. At the Academy we offer the SCAE modules which can lead to diploma, meaning you gain a recognised qualification to allow you to continue on your chosen career path. As with all our courses your training will be hands on, and you will get the chance to taste various recipes and blends throughout the day. Meaning the skills you learn are reinforced and you can put them to use as soon as you return from the course. Successful Candidates Will Gain The Skills To…
- Be able to identify the geographic origins of a variety of coffees, and understand the flavour and body expected of various blends.
- Extend their knowledge of the species and subspecies of coffee bean, and what these will do to the flavour, as well as being able to identify 2 subspecies of Arabica beans.
- Be aware of the different processing methods of coffee beans, and what this will mean for the body and flavour after brewing.
- The layout and use of key equipment, and the importance of hygiene, safety, cleaning and maintenance of the equipment.
- Dosing and grinding methods, and how to make the adjustments to these processes to take your coffee a stage further.
- Producing a balanced espresso, and how to correct any imbalances that may occur.
- Getting the milk right, how the composition of milk will affect the foaming and stability of the foam, as well as examining the alternatives and their limitations and what you need to do to ensure these foam as well as regular milk.
- Free pour latte art patterns, and preparing a range of drinks.
- How to deal with customers, those with complex orders, those with problems and how you can make their experience as well as their coffee as close to perfect as possible.
Have you completed our Introduction to Coffee and our Barista Skills Foundation coffee training courses? Whilst these are not mandatory it is highly recommended that you complete these courses beforehand. This Barista Skills Intermediate is a mandatory course for other courses that you might continue on to, such as the Barista Skills Professional, or why not consider our Grinding and Brewing courses to add more depth to your CV.
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
- By Train: The nearest railway station to the Scottish Barista Academy is Livingston North. If you are arriving by train, please let us know the day before the course, and we will organise a pick up from the station.
- By Plane: We’ll pick you up from Edinburgh airport; just let us know your flight times.
- By Car: Parking is available at our premises EH54 6TW
TESTIMONIALS
“When I decided that I would pursue my dream of starting a coffee shop, I searched for a barista school in Scotland since that was where I would be starting up. I received a call from Jim within hours of sending the email enquiry. We instantly connected and I made an appointment to meet him at the School. Jim has high standards and expects the same from his students. The biggest reward is the more effort I put in, Jim gives the support, advice and effort right back. I have gained a mentor and a friend and I will forever be thankful for his advice and indebted to him for the success and popularity of the coffee I make each day.”
Sean Elder
Seans Coffee & Catering
Barista Intermediate
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PROFESSIONAL
BARISTA SKILLS COURSE – PROFESSIONAL
Scottish Barista Academy Professional Barista Course Duration: 2.5 to 3 Days – 9.30am to 4.30pm Points Gained: 25
£1150 with SCA Certificate
The opportunities to rise through the ranks to be a trainer or manager, or even run your own café mean that coffee training and barista training courses are an investment that can pay off for those with the dedication and the love of coffee to take their career to the highest level. Aimed at those who have been working as a barista for a year or more and have all the skills needed to prepare a range of drinks commonly ordered, and the knowledge of both the beans, and the preparation methods used to create a great cup of coffee. The Scottish Barista Academy is located in Livingston, West Lothian, and is a leading provider in coffee training and barista training. We offer courses in Glasgow and Edinburgh, although if you have special requirements let us know and we’ll do our best to arrange a tailored course for you and your employees. Contact us to discuss your exact requirements further. We offer the SCA modules and diploma, meaning you gain a recognised qualification to allow you to continue on your chosen career path Our courses give you the practical skills to move up the career ladder and take your coffee brewing skills to the next level, so our courses are hands on and give you the chance to develop your taste buds by sampling the various coffee on offer throughout the day.
Successful Candidates Will Gain The Skills To…
- Understand and describe blends in terms of their origins varieties and processing methods used, as well as their roast degree.
- Explain what various beans and blend components contribute to the finished cup of coffee.
- Adjust the brewing parameters to achieve the desired body and flavour.
- Evaluate the grinder features and other machines used in a professional environment.
- Develop knowledge of the science behind the perfect cup of coffee, including why milk foams, and the perfect dosing and tamping techniques.
- Work with the extraction parameters and measurement techniques, as well as problem solving and troubleshooting; the most common issues baristas come across.
- Design and run a successful café, including workspace and café layout, the health, safety and hygiene, as well as the customer service techniques required.
Before starting on this course it is mandatory that you have completed the SCA Barista skills Intermediate, and it is recommended you complete the Introduction to Coffee, Barista Skills-Foundation as well as SCA Brewing and Grinding foundation and intermediate. If becoming a professional barista or taking the next step in your career as a professional barista is your goal then sign up now, we have various courses available, contact us for future dates and to discuss your requirements. We look forward to seeing you on a course soon.
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
- By Train: The nearest railway station to the Scottish Barista Academy is Livingston North. If you are arriving by train, please let us know the day before the course, and we will organise a pick up from the station.
- By Plane: We’ll pick you up from Edinburgh airport; just let us know your flight times.
- By Car: Parking is available at our premises EH54 6TW
TESTIMONIALS
“I’d been running Lochboisdale Café for six years and decided it was time to ‘up my game’ and provide a better coffee experience for my customers. I contacted The Scottish Barista Academy and chatted informally with Jim Watson to discuss my current set-up. He asked lots of questions about how I provided coffee and what I wanted to achieve and helped me decide the course best suited to me to take Lochboisdale Café to be THE place to go to for coffee on the Isle of Uist. The Intermediate Barista course is not for the faint hearted but with Jims’ positive encouraging and humorous approach, he managed to tailor the course for me and for the other students on the course. We all learned a lot and it opened my eyes to the wonderful world of coffee. I now understand the importance of a good on-demand grinder. I was previously using a domestic grinder wholly unsuited for the purpose. It didn’t end there. He continued to provide advice and help afterwards – checking on my progress and giving me pointers to continue to improve. Lunch is provided and I have to say it was one of the best I’ve ever had on a training course. And the coffee was to die for! Definitely an eye-opener into the wonderful world of coffee”
Anne MacLennan
Lochboisdale Café, Isle of Uist