4-Week (28-Day) Certificate Programme

Duration: 4 Weeks (28 Days)
Level: Certificate
Delivery Mode: 30% Theory | 70% Practical
Award: Kenya Coffee School Specialty Coffee Certificate

Programme Objective

The Barista Skills and Specialty Coffee Certificate is an entry-level programme designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of specialty coffee, barista skills, café operations, brewing methods, customer service, and workplace professionalism. It prepares learners for employment in cafés, hotels, restaurants, coffee shops, and the hospitality industry, while providing a pathway to the Foundation Diploma.

WEEK 1 – Coffee Fundamentals

Day 1: Programme Orientation, Introduction to Kenya Coffee School & Career Opportunities

Day 2: History of Coffee, Coffee Origins & Global Coffee Industry

Day 3: Coffee Plant, Bean Anatomy, Species & Varieties

Day 4: The Coffee Value Chain – From Farm to Cup

Day 5: Coffee Processing Methods (Washed, Natural, Honey & Experimental)

Day 6: Food Safety, Personal Hygiene & Workplace Health and Safety

Day 7: Practical Assessment – Coffee Identification & Weekly Examination

WEEK 2 – Introduction to Barista Skills

Day 8: Espresso Machine Parts & Functions

Day 9: Coffee Grinder Basics & Grinder Calibration

Day 10: Espresso Extraction Fundamentals

Day 11: Milk Science & Milk Steaming

Day 12: Introduction to Basic Latte Art (Heart Pattern)

Day 13: Daily Cleaning, Equipment Care & Preventive Maintenance

Day 14: Practical Barista Assessment

WEEK 3 – Brewing & Beverage Preparation

Day 15: Brewing Fundamentals & Coffee-to-Water Ratios

Day 16: French Press Brewing

Day 17: Pour-Over Brewing (V60)

Day 18: AeroPress & Moka Pot Brewing

Day 19: Chocolate, Tea & Non-Coffee Beverages

Day 20: Beverage Presentation, Customer Service & Café Etiquette

Day 21: Brewing Practical Assessment

WEEK 4 – Café Operations & Career Readiness

Day 22: Café Workflow & Station Organization

Day 23: Cash Handling, Point-of-Sale (POS) & Basic Inventory

Day 24: Communication Skills & Hospitality Excellence

Day 25: Professional Ethics, Teamwork & Time Management

Day 26: Introduction to Coffee Entrepreneurship & Business Opportunities

Day 27: Practical Revision, Mock Assessment & Interview Preparation

Day 28: Final Practical Examination, Written Examination, Viva Voce, Graduation Briefing & Certificate Award

Practical Skills Students Will Learn

Throughout the programme, students will gain hands-on experience in:

• Coffee identification and bean recognition
• Basic espresso preparation
• Coffee grinder operation
• Milk steaming and texturing
• Basic latte art
• Manual brewing methods
• Beverage presentation
• Customer service
• Café hygiene and sanitation
• Equipment cleaning and maintenance
• Basic POS operations
• Workplace professionalism

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the 4-week Certificate Programme, graduates will be able to:

• Explain the journey of coffee from farm to cup.
• Identify major coffee species, varieties, and processing methods.
• Prepare consistent espresso-based beverages.
• Steam milk and produce basic latte art.
• Brew coffee using common manual brewing methods.
• Apply food safety and hygiene standards in café operations.
• Deliver excellent customer service.
• Operate effectively as an entry-level barista or café assistant.
• Progress to the Kenya Coffee School Specialty Coffee Foundation Diploma for advanced training.

This 28-day Certificate Level provides a solid foundation for learners beginning a career in specialty coffee and hospitality, emphasizing practical competence alongside essential coffee knowledge.