This week we held a Barista Coffee Essentials program. We had 17 students registered for the class and only 10 showed up. I had several people pull out the day before due to covid related issues or babysitters had let others down, so they have booked in for next time. Usually, I have a wait list, but I felt certain the interest was so high that I wouldn’t need one this time. This was an all-ladies class and everyone got on like a house on fire.
We had a new instructor Adam join us from Palmerston North. Sue Ellen was in isolation with covid. He was young and very energetic which gave Hilary a break. She said Putaruru is still her favourite place to come to deliver the program and puts her hand up every time we make a booking with ITS.
I had the opportunity to chat to a few students before class.
One young lady was very keen to work at the Cow Café or The Wooded Farmer. She is going to approach the owner when she has finished the course.
Another student is currently working at McDonalds but has a dream to one day run her own café food truck. She was very shy, and I wondered if that was the first time, she had said her dream out loud to anyone. She almost looked embarrassed saying something. She wants to apply to Robert Harris for a job when she gets her Barista certificate. She is very young but has a life of experiences to enjoy.
Another two ladies who were related want to own a family coffee cart together that they can take to sports events as there are never enough coffee spots at these big gatherings. I was very impressed with the sense of ambition from the ladies in this group. All of them were buzzing to seek employment in their areas.
I had one lady ring me after the program to ask when they would be getting their certificates so they could add them to their CV’s. Even though this was a small group they were all very interested in moving into the hospitality industry. The tutor mentioned that she noticed many of the ladies looking for jobs on Trade me and Seek during their break times. The majority were mums wanting to gain part time employment to help with household finances.
