Level 2 Barista Skills Course in Hackney. Classes run at New City College Hackney Campus, part-time during the day. The course runs over 7 weeks, so you can fit it around other commitments. You'll develop hands-on coffee preparation skills, from espresso extraction to milk texturing and drink presentation. This barista skills qualification is assessed through practical work, giving you solid grounding for café and coffee shop roles.
Who this course is for
19 plus
What you will learn
You'll learn how to set up and operate an espresso machine correctly.
You'll practise grinding, dosing, and tamping coffee to consistent standards.
You'll develop milk steaming and texturing techniques for drinks like lattes and cappuccinos.
You'll learn how to present and serve a range of coffee-based drinks.
You'll understand how to maintain equipment hygiene and cleanliness.
You'll explore the characteristics of different coffee beans and blends.
How you will learn
You'll learn through hands-on practical sessions in the classroom. Assessment is practical, based on your ability to prepare and serve coffee drinks to a set standard. You'll be observed and assessed on your technique throughout the course, covering equipment use, drink preparation, and presentation.
What you will need to bring
The centre will provide most materials. New City College Hackney Campus will confirm anything else you need before you start.
Where next
Jobs you could do
Barista. Prepare and serve espresso-based drinks in a café.
Coffee shop assistant. Support daily café operations and customer service.
Café supervisor. Oversee a small team in a coffee shop setting.
Hotel food and beverage assistant. Serve drinks in hotel restaurants or lounges.
Restaurant server. Work front-of-house including hot drinks service.
What you could study next
Level 2 Award in Food Safety in Catering. Useful for any food and drink role and often expected by employers.
Level 2 Hospitality Team Member Apprenticeship. Combine on-the-job training with a recognised qualification in hospitality.
Level 3 Diploma in Hospitality Supervision and Leadership. A step toward supervisory and management roles in cafés, restaurants, and hotels.
