Education · 1 of 4

The path

There is no qualification. There is getting hired, and then getting good.

1. 1

   No qualification needed

   Now

   Cafes hire on attitude, reliability and whether you stay calm in a rush. Many hire at 16.

2. 2

   Apply

   Days to weeks

   Chains hire online. Independents still hire off a resume handed over in person at a quiet hour, which is worth knowing.

3. 3

   On the job training

   1 to 2 weeks

   Espresso, milk, the register, food safety and cleaning, usually inside one or two weeks.

4. 4

   Get good on purpose

   6 months to 2 years

   Dialing in a grinder, tasting properly, latte art, and knowing where the coffee came from. This is what separates a trade from a job.

5. 5

   Move up or move across

   1 to 5 years

   Shift lead and store manager, or sideways into roasting, wholesale, cafe ownership and equipment work.