r/Glasgow Tools

Title
Author	biovegenic
Comment	so i worked in speciality coffee for several months earlier this year and managed to get straight into it thanks to a barista training course i did with matthew algie (SCA-certified & funded by DWP lol when i was unemployed and on universal credit; it’s only the foundation one though, so i think it’s about £300). not sure if that’s what got me the job but that’s what i bonded with the manager over. i’d had previous experience working in fast-paced cafes, but no experience using the coffee machine (except for what i got during the barista training, but that was only a couple of hours). some people in speciality coffee started at costa. from what i’ve heard they provide you with a decent training, the basics of which are useful for a job in specialty coffee. so that could be a somewhat easy place to start, plus you don’t need any prior experience. otherwise, working for small independent businesses is still good. any experience is better than none i think. and as soon as you learn the specialty coffee practices, you can apply them instantly i reckon. getting the right milk texture and latte art are probably the most difficult parts and that’s what comes with experience; for some people it takes months to master it and that’s okay; you can still be working in specialty coffee without having those perfected. imo starbucks is a no no, their drinks menu might mess you up lol otherwise i’d recommend putting yourself out there, handing in your CV in person to some coffee shops, enquiring about vacancies and showing your enthusiasm; it goes a long way. also do some background reading, specialty coffee knowledge like different roasts, brands and origins will be useful and impressive. you can bond over that with other people as well and “sell” yourself. also definitely look on IG, because that’s where most vacancies are advertised nowadays. i don’t think it matters where you’re from or how good your english is as long as you can communicate effectively. look at the ottoman house - they’re a specialty turkish coffeehouse and are very well regarded in the specialty coffee scene in glasgow and scotland in general (and probably beyond). i myself was born and raised outside of the UK, in an EU country. hope this helps. good luck! you’ll get there one day :)
Reddit Link	https://www.reddit.com/r/glasgow/comments/17obm8b/specialty_coffee_shops_how_to_get_a_job/k7xenqf/
Created	Sun 5th Nov 2023 2:07pm
Status	normal ()

so i worked in speciality coffee for several months earlier this year and managed to get straight into it thanks to a barista training course i did with matthew algie (SCA-certified & funded by DWP lol when i was unemployed and on universal credit; it’s only the foundation one though, so i think it’s about £300). not sure if that’s what got me the job but that’s what i bonded with the manager over. i’d had previous experience working in fast-paced cafes, but no experience using the coffee machine (except for what i got during the barista training, but that was only a couple of hours).

some people in speciality coffee started at costa. from what i’ve heard they provide you with a decent training, the basics of which are useful for a job in specialty coffee. so that could be a somewhat easy place to start, plus you don’t need any prior experience. otherwise, working for small independent businesses is still good. any experience is better than none i think. and as soon as you learn the specialty coffee practices, you can apply them instantly i reckon. getting the right milk texture and latte art are probably the most difficult parts and that’s what comes with experience; for some people it takes months to master it and that’s okay; you can still be working in specialty coffee without having those perfected.

imo starbucks is a no no, their drinks menu might mess you up lol

otherwise i’d recommend putting yourself out there, handing in your CV in person to some coffee shops, enquiring about vacancies and showing your enthusiasm; it goes a long way. also do some background reading, specialty coffee knowledge like different roasts, brands and origins will be useful and impressive. you can bond over that with other people as well and “sell” yourself.

also definitely look on IG, because that’s where most vacancies are advertised nowadays.

i don’t think it matters where you’re from or how good your english is as long as you can communicate effectively. look at the ottoman house - they’re a specialty turkish coffeehouse and are very well regarded in the specialty coffee scene in glasgow and scotland in general (and probably beyond). i myself was born and raised outside of the UK, in an EU country.

hope this helps. good luck! you’ll get there one day :)