KIK Coffee opens third cafe at old Royal Adelaide Hospital

THE third in a series of cafes providing young people with jobs and training opened at the old Royal Adelaide Hospital site this week.

KIK Coffee employees Matthew Hojem and Jasmine Wood at the old Royal Adelaide Hospital cafe. Picture: Craig Arnold

THE third in a series of cafes providing young people with jobs and training opened at the old Royal Adelaide Hospital site on Monday.

Twenty young people will work at the North Tce cafe in a partnership with Renewal SA’s Works Program, which works with businesses to provide training opportunities for unemployed people.

They will get training in cafe attendant and barista roles as well as brand development and entrepreneurship.

KIK Coffee founder and chief executive Louise Nobes.

KIK Coffee, which has outlets on Light Square and at Tea Tree Plus, will also provide work for up to 10 local high school students.

Jasmine Wood, 19, started working at KIK Coffee in Tea Tree Plaza last year and at the old Royal Adelaide Hospital on Monday.

“I’ve learnt a lot of skills – definitely confidence,” Ms Wood says.

KIK Coffee founder and chief executive Louise Nobes says she is excited to be in a partnership with Renewal SA.

“The KIK Coffee training model allows young people to creatively co-design social enterprises together that are investable and provide job creation,” Ms Nobes says.

“This exciting partnership will be KIK Coffee’s third location in Adelaide in just over 12 months as we strive in our mission to provide jobs for young people.”

Renewal SA general manager of people and place Georgina Vasilevski says the cafe would provide young people with valuable life experience.

“The Works Program has secured more than $18 million funding in partnership with stakeholders, and through the projects many opportunities are created for people, with training and work experience in previous examples, including building and construction, horticulture, retail, childcare and health,” Ms Vasilevski says.

“Young people will have the opportunity to begin their employment pathway to become an exceptional barista, a coffee connoisseur and hospitality enthusiast through learning high level customer service and food service skills.”

The new KIK Coffee cafe is in the McEwin Building where the hospital kiosk was.

“It’s doing really well – we’re gaining some traction in the area,” staff member Matthew Hojem says.