Becoming a Barista: Working at Costa, Starbucks, and Nero

International students working in barista jobs UK at a coffee shop

The students and young workers in the UK like to work as baristas. The Coffee shops have flexible working hours; structured training is provided and the communication with the guests provide good confidence for the long term. For many students, barista jobs UK provide a regular income in addition to enough time for studies. They also gain experience of facing the customers, which is a lifelong skill.

Costa, Starbucks and Nero

The Starbucks, Costa and Café Nero are the popular coffee shop chains across the UK. Each brand has a different culture and environment. While the core work is preparing and serving coffee, the daily experience at these places can be quite different and enjoyable. The students who come to the UK for studies choose to work in these chains because the locations are accessible and the shifts are flexible. Most of the coffee shops are open from early morning to late at night, which allows the workers to choose a schedule of their liking. This also helps them to stay focused on their education.

Training programs

These three coffee shop chains invest a lot in the training program of the employees. Costa focuses on structured learning. The new staff is trained by the old staff and experienced team members. The new staff learns how to prepare the drinks, handling the machines and hygiene standards. The candidates who learn through observation and repetition are good for this type of work. Many students in the UK apply for Costa Coffee part time jobs. The reason is that the training process is supportive and steady.

Skills training for Costa coffee part time roles and barista work
Structured training in Costa coffee part time roles helps new staff master the art of coffee making.

The Starbucks has a more formal training structure. There are practical sessions and online sessions. The new employees are required to go through the both. The company says it’s important to have the knowledge of the brand and focus on the brand value. The students applying for Starbucks student jobs know that the training involves detailed guidance about the interaction with the customers and how to customize their orders.

Café Nero provides training that is hands on and focuses on the craft on making coffee. The new employees usually start by learning to make espresso. They focus on the taste profiles and understanding of the coffee origins. The students who are interested in understanding the technical side of coffee making usually go for this work.

Morning Rush Culture

The morning rush builds up the works in the coffee shops. Between 7 am and 10 am, the people start to gather and start ordering their favourite coffee. At this time, there is work pressure and the team work comes as a handy skill. At such a time, speed and accuracy matter the most. Though this type of work pressure is not for everyone, the students who have committed to barista jobs UK say that such work builds the resilience.

It becomes the most satisfying work of the job for the experienced workers. For the morning rush hour, usually the experienced employees are scheduled to work. The new staff member helps with the simpler tasks. Understanding the environment during peak hours is important before applying for the job. The barista jobs are not quiet or slow paced. The employees are required to have energy, alertness and be calm under pressure.

Managing morning rush in Starbucks student jobs UK
Starbucks student jobs often involve fast-paced work during the morning rush hours.

Employee Benefits

There are many benefits of working in a coffee shop as an employee. The most common one is a free or discounted drink whenever you want. Some stores also provide free food to employees during their shift. The benefits reduce the daily cost of living and that is a big perk of working in a coffee shop. If you are working for Costa Coffee, you will be given a discount at all of their stores.

Starbucks employees get a free drink during their shift and there are discounts after working hours. Nero staff also get free hot drinks at work and food at a discounted cost. While these benefits should not be the main reason to work at the coffee shop, the Costa coffee part time roles offer a balance of benefits and regular income.

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Conclusion

If you get a job as a barista, the work will be demanding, but the benefits will be good. Starbucks student jobs remain a popular choice among the candidates, but the other coffee shop chains are just as much. It teaches the students the art of discipline, patience and the art of communication in the real world. The job might not be as glamorous as it looks but it provides stability and regular growth opportunities for the students.

The students who do not have issues waking up early and start the hustle early in the morning should apply for the jobs at coffee shop chains. The experience that a student can get after working at a coffee shop remains with them even after quitting the job.

 

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