Although not essential, you could do a college course that would give you some of the skills needed for this role. Courses include:

• barista skills
• food and beverage service
• retail skills

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

You can apply to do a Food and Beverage Team Member Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.

This will usually take 12 months to complete and is a mix of on-the-job training and time spent with a college or training provider.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

You can apply directly for jobs. When you start, you're employer will put you through training in barista skills and product knowledge.

Some employers may prefer you to have experience in customer service, retail sales or catering.

You could train in barista skills with a professional organisation, for example the Specialty Coffee Association.

You'll need:

• customer service skills
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to sell products and services
• the ability to work on your own
• excellent verbal communication skills
• a good memory
• the ability to work well with your hands
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

As a barista, you would:

• prepare the premises or outlet ready for opening
• welcome customers, take orders and process payments
• prepare and serve coffees, hot snacks, sandwiches and cakes
• clean and tidy work areas, equipment and coffee machines
• check and order new stock

You could work in a coffee shop.

Your working environment may be noisy.

You may need to wear a uniform.