The Youth Academy is a scholarship program supporting talented and aspiring coffee professionals (aged 18-30) to fulfil their goals in the coffee industry. Youth Academy is a unique opportunity for education, teamwork, friendship, and progression. You will learn from some of the best trainers in the industry and on some of the best equipment. You will gain a broader perspective on the coffee industry and it's potential for your career.

We are on the look out for 6 brilliant coffee minds to embark on a complete coffee education program. We will support the successful applicants by offering a full set of Speciality Coffee Association (SCA) Foundation Courses, Green Coffee, Roasting, Sensory Skills, Brewing and Barista Skills. You will also be educated to Barista Skills Professional over the course of this year. We will pay for your SCA membership, training courses and certification. We will also cover other topics and support your development in this exciting industry, the value of the courses alone exceeds £3000 per person.

In addition to this we will open doors for you to get work experience in different kinds of businesses so you can get a sense of whether the job is right for you. Jump start your career in the coffee industry and apply today!

Past members of the Youth Academy have gone seen their career prospects change, moving into jobs they did not believe were available to them.

To enter:

We will use a merit based selection process and remove any information relating to identity when reviewing the applications. Up to 20 applicants will be invited to interview via a video call.

1. Fill in this FORM
2. Use the link at the end of the form to register on the Coffee Knowledge Hub community and get access to the Youth Academy page
3. Add a 2 minute video telling us why you are applying for the Youth Academy

Email: camilla@nuovadistribution.co.uk if you have any questions

The Courses

SCA Courses will be delivered online and in person. The confirmed courses are:

• INTRODUCTION TO COFFEE

Learn about coffee’s journey from its origins in Ethiopia to the major commodity it is today. From growing the cherries through grading, roasting, and brewing, this module provides an overview of the coffee value chain.

• BARISTA - Foundation to to Professional level

Learn the practical skills you need behind the espresso bar: learn how to set your grinder, milk techniques and latte art, health and safety, customer service, and basic business practices.

• BREWING - Foundation

Learn about the variety of methods for brewing coffee and the brewing variables that affect quality. The Brewing module provides hands-on learning on grind profiles, brewing methods, measuring coffee strength and charting a coffee’s extraction.

• GREEN COFFEE - Foundation

Learn about the key concepts surrounding green coffee: production, processing, grading, shipping, storage, arrival at destination, as well as coffee contracts and portfolio management.

• ROASTING - Foundation

Learn about the roasting process, including roast cycle, roast levels, identifying defects, the physical changes that beans undergo during the roasting process, as well as workspace management and lean production.

• SENSORY- Foundation

  Learn about the essentials of sensory evaluation in a practical and interactive manner. Sensory Skills investigates the way we perceive what we taste, how to evaluate coffee’s natural characteristics, and implementing this knowledge in business.

These will be delivered both online via video call and in person

Different courses, subjects and experiences will be added to the above listed to further enhance the training.

This scholarship is unique in the coffee industry. It covers the broadest range of topics and includes the SCA membership and certificates as part of the package.

Victoria Arduino UK is delighted to be offering a scholarship for 6 places in our Youth Academy program for 2024. You need to be between the ages of 18 to 30 to apply. Successful applicants be offered a free space.

Course dates:

Barista Foundation: 16th & 17th April online 1900-2200

Sensory Foundation:13th & 14th May online 1900-2200

Roasting Foundation: 4 June at Plot roasting, London

Barista Intermediate: 15th & 16th July at Victoria Arduino Experience Lab, London

Brewing Foundation: 9th & 10th Sept online 1900-2200

Green Foundation: 7th & 8th Oct online 1900-2200

Barista Professional: 4th-6th Nov at Victoria Arduino Experience Lab, London

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The rules:

1. You must be a UK resident, able to travel to London and accommodate yourself for short periods during the year (subject to restrictions regarding the pandemic)
2. We will schedule an interview with up to 20 applicants. The top 6 will gain a spot.

a. The tender will end on March 22, 2024 at 3 pm.

b. By applying you are committing to the course dates below.

Due to the costs we incur, we reserve the right to claim the cost of SCA fees back from you if you are unable to attend the scheduled dates.

How to participate

Please fill in this form

Announcement

All applications received by 22 March, 2024 by 3pm will be screened by the Youth Academy team and communicated by 2 April or before. The 6 winners will be announced on @victoriaarduino_uk @youthacademyuk & @coffeeknowledgehub Instagram for announcement times. Make sure to follow: #youthacademyUK2024 for updates.

RULES - the fine print

Victoria Arduino Experience Lab_ offers 6 accredited coffee education programs. Youth Academy is dedicated to coffee professionals aged 18 to 30._

Art. 1 - Institution

The tender is organised by Victoria Arduino Experience Lab UK in conjunction with Coffee Knowledge Hub

Art. 2 - Participants

The tender is open to coffee professionals aged 18 to 30. The courses will be delivered online and in person. The classroom and practical training is either at the Victoria Arduino Experience Lab 6a Pratt St., London NW1 0AB, United Kingdom, or other training facilitiessucha as Plot Roasting, London. By applying for Youth Academy you confirm that you are able to attend the courses for their duration. Transport and accommodation is not covered by the scholarship, so you will need to make your own arrangements.

Art. 3 - Period

a. The tender will end on March 31 at 3 pm UTC.

b. By applying you are committing to the course dates of:

Course dates for 2024:

Barista Skills:

Barista Foundation: 16th & 17th April online 1900-2200

Barista Intermediate: 15th & 16th July at Victoria Arduino Experience Lab London

Barista Professional: 4th-6th Nov at Victoria Arduino Experience Lab, London

Sensory Foundation:

Sensory Foundation:13th & 14th May online 1900-2200

Roasting Foundation:

Roasting Foundation: 4 June at Plot roasting, London

Brewing Foundation:

Brewing Foundation: 9th & 10th Sept online 1900-2200

Green Foundation:

Green Foundation: 7th & 8th Oct online 1900-2200

Art. 4 - How to participate

Fill out the application form using the following link

Art. 5 - Announcement

All applications received by 22 March, 2024 by 3pm will be screened by the Youth Academy team and communicated by 2 April 2024 or before. The 6 winners will be announced on @victoriaarduino_uk @youthacademyuk & @coffeeknowledgehub Instagram for announcement times. Make sure to follow: #youthacademyUK2024 for updates.

Art. 6 - Prizes

Participants will be given expert training in the SCA modules of Green, Sensory, Roasting, and Brewing to Foundation level. The Barista certification will be taught to Professional level. SCA Membership as well as all certification fees are covered by Victoria Arduino Experience Lab. Lunch will be provided as well.

Art. 7 - Personal data processing

Pursuant to Legislative Decree 196/2003, personal data provided by entrants are collected solely for the purposes of the scholarships. The individual has a right of access to data concerning themselves and to correct, update, complete or delete any data that is erroneous, incomplete or that does not conform to the law.

Participation in the tender implies acceptance of the terms provided and consent to the processing of personal data.