MILAN – Market reports are witnessing a boom in Ireland’s multimillion-euro coffee industry, but there are not enough skilled baristas on the scene to cater for the growing demand for java.
In order to fill this gap, Excel Recruitment – a recruitment firm which specialises in sourcing permanent, temporary and contract workers – and its sister company, Futureproof Training, have launched a new barista training programme.
The Irish Barista School will provide eight-hour training courses at Excel’s head office in Dublin. The programme will be delivered by three full-time trainers with classes potentially running up to six days a week.
Shane Mclave, a director at Excel Recruitment’s hospitality division, told Fora that participants will be given a “bean-to-cup” overview of coffee theory as well as practical training on how to make various types of coffee, “from your espressos all the way to your textured milks and latte art”.
The Irish Barista School is partnered with Skillnet, the national agency responsible for the promotion of workforce learning.
Karl Purdy, founder of Dublin coffee shop chain Coffeeangel, said the company is dealing with a shortage of skilled baristas at its five outlets, which is expected to double over the coming years.
“We’re always on the lookout for good people as we grow. There’s a lot of competition,” he said.
