SCA Foundation Barista Workshop
Build Your Barista Skills. Build Your Coffee Knowledge.
At Coaltown, we believe great coffee starts with understanding what’s in the cup and why it tastes the way it does.
Our SCA Barista Skills Foundation course is designed to give you the knowledge, practical skills and confidence to become a better barista. Whether you’re taking your first steps into specialty coffee, working behind the bar, or simply want to understand the craft at a deeper level, this hands-on course brings together the essential skills every barista needs.
Led by Alysha Huxley, you’ll learn in the environment of a working specialty coffee roastery and training space, combining SCA theory with practical barista training.
Workshop Duration: 7 Hours
Why Train with Coaltown?
This isn’t just about learning how to make a good espresso. It’s about understanding the process behind it.
You’ll work hands-on with professional equipment, learn how to approach coffee with consistency and precision, and develop the confidence to make informed decisions behind the bar.
As an SCA-recognised course, the training follows the Specialty Coffee Association’s Foundation-level curriculum and provides a globally recognised qualification on successful completion.
What You’ll Learn
Coffee Origins & Processing
Understand where coffee comes from and how growing conditions and processing methods influence what ends up in the cup.
Grinding & Extraction
Learn how grind size affects extraction and how to make adjustments to achieve a balanced espresso.
Espresso Preparation
Explore the fundamentals of espresso, from dose and yield to extraction time and consistency.
Dialling In
Develop a practical approach to tasting and adjusting espresso, learning how to identify when a coffee is under or over-extracted.
Milk Texturing & Latte Art
Learn how to texture milk correctly and develop the fundamentals needed to create quality milk-based drinks and latte art.
Customer Service
Great coffee is only part of the experience. Learn how to combine technical skill with efficient, welcoming and confident customer service.
Who Is It For?
The Foundation course is ideal for:
- New and aspiring baristas
- Café and coffee shop teams
- Hospitality professionals looking to develop their coffee skills
- Specialty coffee enthusiasts
- Anyone looking to gain a recognised SCA qualification
Learn Coffee. Understand Coffee. Make Better Coffee.
Whether you’re starting your career in specialty coffee or looking to sharpen the skills you already have, the SCA Barista Skills Foundation course gives you a strong foundation to build from.
Train with Coaltown. Learn from Alysha. Leave with the skills and confidence to make better coffee.
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Our SCA Academy
Coaltown’s Coffee Workshop Academy is a dedicated training space for developing your skills and understanding of specialty coffee. Our SCA-accredited training combines industry-recognised education with hands-on experience, using professional La Marzocco espresso machines and equipment in a working café environment.
Whether you’re building your barista fundamentals, learning to dial in espresso, or refining milk steaming and latte art, our training is designed to build practical skills, knowledge and confidence.
For anyone looking for SCA-accredited barista training in the UK, Coaltown’s Academy provides the expertise, equipment and environment to take your coffee skills to the next level.
South Wales Based
Coaltown’s SCA-accredited training is proudly rooted in Ammanford, South Wales, offering professional, hands-on coffee education for baristas and coffee professionals across the region. Whether you’re searching for SCA training in South Wales, coffee courses near Swansea, or specialist coffee education close to Cardiff, our roastery-based academy provides the opportunity to develop your skills in a real working environment. Combining expert instruction, industry-leading equipment and the internationally recognised SCA curriculum, our courses provide a high-quality training experience for anyone looking to develop their knowledge and expertise in specialty coffee.
Meet Your Trainer: Alysha Huxley
Alysha Huxley is an Authorised SCA Trainer with a passion for specialty coffee, education and helping others build confidence behind the bar. With a practical, hands-on approach to training, Alysha combines technical knowledge with real-world café experience to make complex coffee concepts accessible and engaging.
Whether you’re new to specialty coffee or looking to refine your existing skills, Alysha will guide you through the SCA curriculum with a focus on understanding, consistency and practical application. At Coaltown, her aim is simple: to help you leave every session with greater knowledge, confidence and a deeper appreciation for the craft of coffee.
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Frequently Asked Questions
An SCA Barista Skills course provides internationally recognised training in the essential knowledge and practical skills needed to work confidently with specialty coffee, from espresso preparation and extraction to milk steaming and customer service.
Coaltown offers SCA-accredited Barista Skills training from our roastery and training academy in Ammanford, South Wales, combining the SCA curriculum with practical, hands-on experience. Available in foundation, Intermediate and professional level qualifications.
Our SCA courses are designed for baristas, café and hospitality professionals, coffee shop teams and anyone looking to develop their professional specialty coffee skills and gain an internationally recognised qualification.
You’ll develop practical skills across espresso preparation, grinding and extraction, dialling in, milk texturing, latte art, coffee knowledge, equipment and customer service, alongside the theory required by the SCA curriculum.
Yes. SCA education is internationally recognised within the specialty coffee industry, making an SCA qualification a valuable addition to your professional coffee experience and career development.
Coaltown’s SCA-accredited Barista Skills courses take place at our specialty coffee roastery and Coffee Workshop Academy in Ammanford, South Wales, within easy reach of Swansea and Cardiff.