The global services provider has joined the Speciality Coffee Association of Europe and will train its baristas through the association’s Coffee Diploma System.
Louise Pilkington, marketing director of Compass Group UK & Ireland, said: “We’re really excited by our partnership with SCAE because we believe passionately that delivering a great cup of coffee is a skill, and one we want to help more of our people develop. Coffee is a really important part of our business and we are committed to consistently delivering excellence for our customers across all of our sites, every day.
“For us, achieving this is about giving people the tools to build exciting and rewarding careers in coffee, both for our existing Baristas and other team members who might be inspired to train as a Barista. As well as helping us upskill our people, our association with SCAE also gives our Baristas access to an international network of coffee professionals and the opportunity to compete and achieve recognition in the Industry.”
Compass’ coffee operations stretch across 15,000 sites in the UK and many of its staff already undertake baristra training through partnerships with brands including Costa and Starbucks. The SCAE membership now allows baristas working where non-branded coffee is provided to receive the same level of training.
David Veal, executive director at SCAE, said: “We are delighted to be working closely with an organisation of Compass Group’s stature and we hope that this partnership will provide immeasurable benefit to SCAE and Compass Group as we work together in the future.
“We have been impressed by Compass Group’s quest for coffee excellence and their investment in SCAE’s Coffee Diploma System is a great endorsement of our mission of inspiring excellence in coffee. We are thrilled to have such a strong supporter of our work.”
Each course, with the exception of Introduction to Coffee is available at three Levels – Foundation, Intermediate & Professional and all work towards a SCAE Diploma in Coffee.