Term 1 of the TAFE Barista and Baking Program concluded on a high note, celebrating the achievements, commitment and growing confidence of participants involved. Delivered at Box Hill Institute’s Elgar Road Campus, the program runs one full day per week and this term supported 16 Networks participants to develop practical, job-ready skills for the hospitality industry.
Throughout the term, participants showed strong enthusiasm and dedication as they worked towards gaining real-world experience and foundational knowledge.
Building Strong Foundations in Hospitality
Participants were introduced to a broad range of hospitality and barista skills through structured, hands-on learning. The program covered food hygiene practices, workplace health and safety, kitchen safety and foundational barista techniques, ensuring participants understood how to work safely and professionally in a café environment.
Participants learned how to operate and clean coffee equipment, prepare espresso-based drinks, texture milk correctly, follow café-style recipes and present drinks to a consistent standard. Alongside practical skills, the program introduced customer service, communication, money handling and an understanding of the cost of coffee, helping participants build real-world knowledge and confidence. Skills were introduced progressively and reinforced through repetition, supported practice and supervised service experiences—allowing participants to grow in both capability and independence.
Confidence and Capability on Display
By the end of the term, participants demonstrated noticeable growth in both knowledge and self-confidence. Many participants who began the program feeling unsure were able to independently prepare drinks, follow safety procedures and communicate more confidently.
This growth extended beyond technical skills, with participants also developing teamwork, problem-solving abilities and workplace readiness.
What’s Ahead
The completion of Term 1 highlights the dedication of participants, facilitators and educators involved in delivering the program. While Term 1 focused on the barista components, the course will transition into baking skills for Term 2 expanding participants’ learning across the hospitality field.
With a strong foundation now in place, participants are well positioned to continue developing their skills, confidence and independence in the coming terms. We look forward to seeing their progress as they build on what they’ve achieved so far.