Barista crash course for out-of-school youth

CEBU, Philippines – The growing demand for baristas both in the local and foreign market prompted Cebu Holdings Inc. (CHI), together with partner institutions, to offer a free crash-course program for out-of-school-youths residing in the six barangays near Cebu Business Park and Cebu Asiatown IT Park.

CHI along with the University of Southern Philippines Foundation, and Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA) recently presented 17 graduates of the Barista crash course, which aims to provide employment to these young individuals, or encourage them to engage in small coffee shop business.

 “The program dubbed TASA meaning “Tambayayong Aswat Sugod-sunod Asenso is a project created to meet the needs of the members of our community in the areas of education towards employment and entrepreneurship. It also means Team Assistance for Skills Advancement,” said CHI corporate communications manager Vera Alejandria.

Steve Benitez of Bo’s Coffee Club chain said there is a fast turn over of baristas among coffee shops in the Philippines, as most of the experienced people are getting good-paying jobs abroad.

Barista is an Italian term for a professional espresso/coffee beverage maker.

Benitez, who operates one of the country’s large coffee chain brands, said that for his company alone, about 70 percent of its pool of baristas apply for overseas employment after getting good experience in his coffee shops.

The profitable business of coffee shops in the Philippines, has not only provided good business opportunity for entrepreneurs to pursue this kind of business, but it also opened opportunities for young-people to find good-paying jobs abroad, or within the Philippines, Benitez said.

Despite the high turnover of baristas, he said Bo’s Coffee Club does not mind if sometimes the chain is used as “stepping stone” for people to get good experience and gain overseas work.

“We just have to train and train. It’s good that we help people grow and get high-paying jobs abroad, not only as bartenders, but also waiters, and other service oriented jobs,” Benitez said.

In cooperation with TESDA and USPF, the 17 out-of-school-youth chosen from barangays Apas, Camputhaw, Carreta, Hipodromo, Luz and Mabolo officially got their skill’s certification with hands-on training in support with the well-known coffee shops like Bo’s Coffee Club, Figaro, Gloria Jeans, and Seattle’s Best. — Ehda M.Dagooc