Fife Council Economic Development’s Team helped secure barista training for Waid Academy pupils earlier this year, enabling them to gain training, qualifications, and industry experience. These young people are now fully trained and serving up coffee in the East Neuk of Fife, playing an important role in the area’s hospitality sector.

Following an initial enquiry from Fife Council’s Employability Service, Fife Council’s Economic Development Team utilised its contacts with SRUC Elmwood College and made the introductions, which resulted in eleven senior pupils gaining their Barista Certificate, which included food hygiene, customer service skills and food prep skills training.

The pupils have since gone on to secure work placements across the East Neuk of Fife. Zest Café supported two pupils, The Pavilion in Elie offered additional placements, whilst pupils have also had the opportunity to take over the coffee bar at Waid Academy two days a week.

Alison Sinclair, Culture of Enterprise Officer, Economic Development Team at Fife Council, commented:

“This is an example of how collaboration can work so well between different partners and organisations, especially in a sector where there are currently skills challenges. After a few development meetings with our Employability Service, Economic Development Team, Jackie Mitchell, the Developing Young Workforce Co-ordinator at Waid Academy and SRUC Elmwood College, we were able to put in place a comprehensive training programme for eleven senior pupils.

“These young people will now be able to work in the many cafés, hotels and restaurants in the East Neuk Coastal villages. Having access to these sought-after jobs, whether on a temporary basis to help fund further or higher education, or as a career pathway in the hospitality industry, will give them vital experience of the workplace, whilst supporting the local economy, especially during the busy summer months ahead.”