Barista Training Program
Barista Skillz Program
Barista Skills Program – Inclusive Training for People with Disabilities in Adelaide
Learn Real Café Skills, Gain Confidence, and Explore Employment Pathways
The Barista Skillz Program at Soaring Together helps people living with disabilities learn how to become baristas through a hands-on experience in a supportive, inclusive environment. Participants will develop skills, confidence, and real-world experience over 8 weeks while learning how to perform practical cafe duties.
What is a Barista?
Baristas are professional individuals who create and serve coffee to customers in cafes, restaurants, and coffee roasteries, providing customers with a consistent, high-quality product with excellent service. The Barista training Program is designed specifically for participants to gain both technical skills, such as espresso preparation, milk steaming, and latte art, as well as essential workplace skills, including teamwork, problem-solving, and communication, making it ideal for individuals with disabilities seeking employment in the hospitality industry.
Reach out
Who Will Benefit from the Barista Skills Program
Barista Skills Program is best suited for people with disabilities who:
- Want to develop café skills and ready-to-work skills,
- Persons new to Hospitality or those looking to enhance their current skills
- To meet others socially in connection and team work/community activity,
- Those wishing to transition into employment via supported pathways, such as work trials or mobile coffee cart placements.
Each participant learns at his/her own pace through the use of accessible materials, the use of visual supports, and personalised instruction.
Program Structure
-
- Week 1-6 – Getting started (3-Hour Sessions every other week)
- Week 7-8 – ( 4 hours) Advanced Skills, Simulated Café Shifts, and Final Showcase
- Modules…Food Safety, Espresso, Milk Texturing, Latte Art, Team Work, Communication Skills, Daily Routines
Final Showcase: Run a simulated café and serve actual customers, while also reflecting on what was learned in the course.
What you’ll learn
- Hygienic Practices for Food Safety
- Prepare and serve espresso coffee
- Use the coffee machine and grinder
- Make espresso, steam milk, simple latte art
- Customer service and teamwork
- Safe, clean café habits
- Work routines and problem‑solving
Accessibility
- Easy‑read resources & visual supports
- Colour‑coded tools and visual timers
- Interpreters or adaptive tools on request
Pathways after the course
Real connections to jobs and further training.
- Work trials and café introductions
- Mobile coffee van opportunities (selection required)
- Job‑readiness support (resume, interview practice)
Upcoming intakes
Register your interest for 2026 Barista Skillz & Brew Crew
- May 2026
NDIS charges
Charges will be under core funding or Capacity Building (increased social and community participation)
Become a Barista! Course Outcomes
Module 1: Food Safety Basics
- Set personal goals for the barista course
- Learn food safety and hygiene basics
- Decorate and personalise barista aprons
- Explore coffee origins and flavours around the world
Module 2: Use Hygienic Practices for Food Safety
- Review key food safety hazards (germs, chemicals, physical risks)
- Practice correct handwashing technique and visual checks
- Identify hazards in a mock café setup (“Spot the Hazard” activity)
- Learn proper food storage and labeling rules for café items
Module 3: Intro to Espresso Machine
- Learn the parts and functions of the espresso machine and grinder
- Understand café equipment safety and identify hot vs safe-to-touch areas
- Review cleaning, maintenance, and preparation for hands-on espresso work next week
Module 4: Intro to Espresso & Confidence
- Practice espresso extraction: grind, dose, tamp, and pour consistent shots
- Understand what confidence means and how to build it through mindset and action
- Learn reframing techniques to turn negative experiences into growth opportunities
- Create a personal confidence plan using the BE–DO–HAVE framework
MODULE 5: Milk Texturing & Type of drinks
- Learn recipes for popular café drinks and their ingredients
- Practise making espresso-based drinks safely with guidance
- Follow café cleaning steps and safe work routines
- Role-play taking orders and serving customers as a team
MODULE 6: Decisions, Communication & Latte Art
- Build confidence and stay calm under pressure in café settings
- Practise communication and customer interaction through role-play
- Learn and practise basic latte art designs and techniques
- Work in teams to take orders, make drinks, and serve customers
MODULE 7: Practice Café Shift
- Prepare for work with clean uniforms and handwashing
- Set up the café space with teamwork and organisation
- Run a full café shift rotating through barista, server, and customer roles
- Reflect on teamwork, service, and problem-solving skills
MODULE 8: Refresher & Final Check
- Review all key barista skills with refresher and practice stations
- Complete simulated café assessments focusing on teamwork and hygiene
- Run a public showcase café event serving real guests
- Celebrate achievements with certificates and group reflection
“Everyone learns and grows at their own pace. What matters is that you keep going.”
What you get
- Trainer support and practice time
- All ingredients and tools supplied
- Certificate of completion
1 – 8
weeks
3h – 4h
per week
Small
Groups
Beginner
friendly
Reach out
FAQs
NDIS participants and people with disabilities seeking café skills, confidence, and employment pathways.
No, the Barista program is beginner-friendly and designed for all skill levels.
We provide dedicated 1:1 support for participants who need extra assistance! Our team is highly experienced in the Barista Skills program and Brew Crew, and are great at understanding different learning, processing, and coping styles. They’ll work closely with you to help you get the most out of your experience.
The charges for our programs fall under NDIS Core funding or Capacity Building (Increased Social and Community Participation).
You can enrol by registering your interest online or contacting the Soaring Together team directly. We’ll help confirm your eligibility, NDIS funding, and upcoming intake dates.
You’ll learn the key skills to become a great barista! This includes everything from proper espresso making and milk frothing to cafe hygiene and customer service. You’ll get plenty of hands-on practice to perfect your craft.
The Brew Crew program offers a practical path for participants to transition from training into active employment. By joining the team, individuals step into a supported work environment where they can refine their barista skills and build the confidence necessary for long-term career success.A major highlight of the program is operating the Brew Crew coffee van. Working at community events and local sporting clubs provides genuine, hands-on experience in customer service and teamwork, serving as a vital bridge toward finding and keeping a job.Funding and EligibilityTo participate in the Brew Crew van employment program, individuals must have NDIS funding allocated under the following categories:
- 04: Assistance with Social, Community and Civic Participation
- 09: Increased Social and Community Participation
- 10: Finding and Keeping a Job (Employment)
- 15: Improved Daily Living
This structure ensures that every team member receives the specific support required to excel in their role while making a positive impact in the community. Please contact us on how we can make this work for you.
