Equality Education offers unique training opportunity to tackle barista shortage

To ensure North Queenslanders continue to enjoy quality cups of coffee, two local businesses are helping address a barista skills shortage. See what they are doing.

Equality Education director Arthur Burchett is helping to upskill North Queenslanders in the hospitality industry. Picture: Supplied.

Fresh reinforcements have joined the front line to ensure North Queenslanders can get their coffee fix, thanks to a unique Townsville-based training program that is tackling the region’s skills shortage for baristas.

Drawing on his 14 years of experience in education, training and hospitality, Arthur Burchett partnered with former North Queensland Cowboys captain Michael Morgan to launch the registered training organisation Equality Education in Aitkenvale late last year.

A big believer in providing high-quality education and training to all students, regardless of their background or circumstances, Mr Burchett has begun offering nationally accredited Barista training for students – a unique opportunity that hadn’t previously been offered as a skill set.

“In hospitality, people are looking for baristas … it’s a massive skill shortage. They are looking for people with basic knowledge and have had some training,” Mr Burchett said.

“I identified that none of my competitors in the state offer it so we wanted to be unique and start it, not only to get the skills, but the confidence levels of the students up.”

Equality Education director Arthur Burchett is helping to upskill North Queenslanders in the hospitality industry. Picture: Supplied.

Mr Burchett said their Prepare and Serve Espresso Coffee course included an online theory component before participating in the two day practical component in a real workplace environment.

Thanks to a partnership with Rosslea business Coffee Presto, the latest cohort of five North Queensland students had the opportunity on Wednesday to build their skills and confidence by making over 30 coffees each.

Coffee Presto owners Luke Guazzo and Kristy-lee Guazzo with Equality Education director Arthur Burchett at Coffee Presto. Picture: Supplied.

He said the two students from Palm Island, Carcia Nallajar and Ngaire Pearson, were already employed and looking to upskill, one was a high school student from Proserpine completing a unit in her Year 12 Certificate, while two others secured jobs off the back of the course.

Ms Nallajar described the training as an “amazing experience”, thanks to the friendly staff and supportive trainers.

Equality Education director Arthur Burchett with students Carcia Nallajar, Ngaire Pearson, Hannah Dawson, Nirvana Bird, David Frewen-lord, and barista Summer Kim at Coffee Presto. Picture: Supplied.

“The course is hands-on, which is a crucial part of my personal learning experience. I would highly recommend to anyone that are after certificates to further themselves within their workplaces,” Ms Nallajar said.

“I left the course instilled with confidence that I can go to any cafe job and be confident making any coffees.”

Ms Pearson also really enjoyed the educational experience, saying she walked out feeling “very confident and happy”.

If you would like to upskill, visit: equalityeducation.com.au.

Originally published as Equality Education offers unique training opportunity to tackle barista shortage