13 coffee enthusiasts are ready to kickstart their careers in the coffee industry following their graduation from a training academy which opens up opportunities for unemployed adults to become baristas.
Well Grounded, a social enterprise, runs free specialty Coffee Training Academies for adults from all walks of life who are out of work and looking for rewarding careers in coffee. Well Grounded sees the coffee industry as a perfect place for people looking for a fresh start in life and build a career which can progress from barista to managerial positions in a vibrant sector. The latest cohort was sponsored by Danone UK & Ireland’s plant-based brand Alpro, which has supported the programme since 2022.
The academies not only support them to gain technical accreditations and barista experience through work placements, but also provide employability support, job coaching and mentorship.
Danone UK & Ireland hosted a special graduation ceremony at their Chiswick Park Offices in London (on Friday 15th November) to celebrate the partnership, where attendees got to hear firsthand about the experiences of some of this year’s graduates, the 4th cohort sponsored by Alpro.
Four enthusiastic graduates creatively shared their stories to help demonstrate the personal and professional impact the programme has had on their lives so far.
Jayden, who joined the programme following a mental health crisis, wrote and performed a song for the occasion, explaining how the course “literally changed his life” and gave him “something worth living for.”
David applied for the programme after feeling knocked back from job rejections. He was worried his age, lack of experience and level of English would hinder his opportunities, despite speaking four languages. He shared a story book he had put together, documenting his journey as a “pathway of a dream.” David shared that Well Grounded has “opened the door to a whole new world” and hopes to open his own café one day.
They were also joined by Marina, who was looking to return to work after a career break to raise her child. She was worried her age and time away from work would impact her progression, but was inspired by her wife, who had been on a previous Well Grounded x Alpro cohort and went into a career in the industry. She shared a video about her journey and spoke about how the programme has helped her “regain her confidence.”
Finally, Erhan took to the stage to perform a poem he had written in his native language, Turkish. He shared how he had felt “frozen” and “hopeless”, but how the programme has been a “beacon of hope”, giving him a new community and a “second home.”
Over the course of the cohort, trainees completed over 600 hours with 10 different employers.
As well as being a sponsor, Alpro also provides bespoke training on making coffees with plant-based alternatives to milk, ensuring that the trainees can feel confident advising customers and utilising plant-based products in the workplace. So far, Alpro has supported 46 individuals on Well Grounded programmes, empowering them with the skills to thrive in the coffee industry.
Dominic, 31, was part of the second Well Grounded x Alpro cohort in Autumn 2022, after moving to the UK from South Africa. As a coffee drinker himself, he wanted to dip his toe into the coffee industry, but didn’t have the skills or qualifications he needed to get work. After a successful time on the programme, Dominic went onto have a career as a barista before securing a new opportunity as production assistant in a roastery. In his spare time he sells raw honey and has a goal to set up his own coffee stall.
“The Well Grounded programme was the perfect opportunity for me to gain new skills, get employment advice from industry experts, and meet people in London, especially as I was new to the UK,” explains Dominic. “I’m really grateful for the support I received at the academy. It’s helped me kickstart my career in an industry that I’m really passionate about and I’m excited to see where else my training will take me.”
At the graduation ceremony attendees also heard from Danone UK & Ireland’s President, James Mayer, who spoke about the value of the partnership.
“We are really fortunate to collaborate with Well Grounded, an organisation that is working hard to break down barriers in the coffee industry and open up new opportunities for people who are genuinely enthusiastic about working in the sector,” James Mayer said. “The latest graduates are a testament to the programme and we look forward to seeing the positive impact Well Grounded will continue to make on our local communities.”
Sonja Wittenberg, Chief Commercial Officer at Well Grounded commented: “This partnership has gained huge momentum since Alpro’s sponsorship of Well Grounded started in 2022. Together, we have created a platform for 46 new individuals to access our employability and coffee training to support them as they launch their careers in coffee. Our programmes have been truly enhanced through Alpro’s network, with great contributions from industry experts that have provided our graduates with a truly welcoming experience as they join the coffee industry.”
About Well Grounded
Well Grounded is an award-winning social enterprise, launched in 2016 to support the UK’s unemployed to access rewarding careers in the speciality coffee industry. Their vision is of a UK free from unemployment, where everyone has the opportunity to build a fulfilling career. Together with the coffee industry, they work to create inclusive and progressive career opportunities for individuals looking to access work.
Through their coffee training academies in London and Bristol, they provide community outreach, industry-recognised accredited programmes, mentorship and job coaching support, helping people gain access to jobs ranging from barista to roasting and green coffee sourcing.
To date, they have supported over 600+ individuals on their flagship employability programmes, with 75% of Graduates going in to work, further education or training. 80% of Graduates sustain in work 6 months or more. For more information please see their website at www.wellgrounded.org