How brew works

BREW is a free training course for people wanting to break into the coffee industry, open to people who qualify (i.e. from one of the groups we support–see here) and pass our aptitude assessment. The course can be undertaken flexibly and normally takes around 120 hours to complete. It has three components:

1. volunteering

Participants are placed in one of Kahaila’s coffee shops or with a partnering café. Here they are introduced to the fundamentals of working in hospitality—from customer service and teamwork to time management and maintaining professional standards. This stage helps build confidence and gain valuable hands-on experience in a supportive, real-world setting.

2. Training

Those ready to take the next step progress to our structured barista skills programme. This includes expert-led workshops on espresso preparation, milk steaming, hygiene standards and drink presentation. Alongside technical skills, participants also receive employability training covering interview skills, communication and workplace readiness.

3. Qualifying

Successful candidates work toward the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) Barista Skills Foundation qualification—an internationally recognised certification. Graduates leave with the skills, confidence and accreditation needed to gain employment or pursue further opportunities in the coffee industry.