Full of beans after coffee school training!

College student Jon Hardman spoke exclusively to Progress Magazine about coffee school training:

“My name is Jon Hardman and I have been at Henshaws College for just over two years.

I am studying two pathways in horticulture and hospitality and I have really enjoyed all the practical parts of my course. I have just finished a tree-planting project and this spring I am really looking forward to using a lawnmower and learning how to maintain it.

Last year I worked in the cafe at the Henshaws Arts & Crafts Centre. Then the college arranged a work placement for me at Julie’s Cafe nearby where I could use all the customer service and hospitality skills I had learned.

I have just finished a brilliant 10-week course at Julie's Coffee School and now I have barista skills! That means I am qualified to use the cafe’s machine to make all different kinds of coffee and hot chocolate. I love making drinks for the other students too.

I never thought I would be able to learn all these things but our college tutors and Julie at the Coffee School make it all very easy.

Learning outside of the college is great as I can see how my new work skills can be used in real life.

I am so much more confident now and I have found work that I enjoy. I know a lot about trees and gardening and almost everything about coffee making. I will be sad when I have to leave college this July but  if I can find  a job using my new skills, that will make me very happy!”