Dunbar Grammar pupils brew up career opportunities with SQA Barista Skills qualification

Thursday 28 August 2025

Pupils at Dunbar Grammar School are learning to steam milk, serve customers, and manage a coffee shop — all as part of a hands-on qualification that’s preparing them for life beyond the classroom.

The Barista Skills Award is one of SQA’s vocational qualifications being delivered in schools across Scotland, aimed at helping young people build practical, real-world skills. With 161 centres currently approved to deliver the course, and certifications doubling for the 2024–25 session, the Barista Skills qualification is becoming an increasingly popular route into hospitality and part-time employment.

At Dunbar Grammar School, delivery of the Barista Skills qualification is led by Home Economics teacher Erica Sawyer, who brings 30 years of hospitality experience and barista training from industry professionals. A partnership with ethical supplier Coffee Conscience provided the school with professional-grade equipment and three specialist training sessions, creating a realistic café environment for pupils to learn in.

Erica says the course offers more than learning to brew coffee: 'The benefits have not just increased knowledge and work-related skills, but had a positive impact on developing interpersonal skills, communication, organising, planning, delegating and motivating.'

For pupil Teagan Daly, the qualification helped her reach personal and professional goals:

'I chose this course as I felt it would be a valuable qualification for somewhere I may work. I hoped to achieve more knowledge in where coffee comes from and how each coffee is made. I also wanted to be able to do latte art—I feel I have achieved both of these goals.'

She particularly enjoyed running the school’s own coffee service: 'My favourite part of this course was making coffees for people in school. I enjoyed delivering coffee to everyone as they were excited and said it was the best part of their Friday.'

Teagan added: 'The skills that I took from this course are communication, teamwork, positive thinking and dealing with difficult situations. I feel this will be valuable in my future, as I can use this qualification in my CV, helping me get part-time work during further education.'

Another student, Maia Baptie, who currently works in a local café, found the course built her confidence:

'I chose the course because I felt it would help me with my current job and gives me the confidence to talk to people that I would not usually talk to outside of school. It’s easier than a lot of exams because you can mess up a bit, but you can always do it again.'

Eilidh McLaren, Headteacher at Dunbar Grammar School, said: 'The Barista Skills unit has been a fantastic addition to our curriculum, providing young people with a meaningful opportunity to develop skills such as teamwork, leadership, and hands-on practical experience. These skills have helped our students gain part time work and opened doors to potential careers in the hospitality industry.

'It has been wonderful to see how the young people involved have enjoyed and embraced the experience. Going into the new academic year, we’ve seen double the number of pupils sign up for the qualification, which highlights just how popular and valued this opportunity is among our pupils.'

Mags Paterson, Head of Creative, Hospitality & Sport at SQA commented: 'The Barista Skills qualification is a great example of how vocational learning can bring real value to young people’s education. It equips learners with practical skills they can apply immediately in the workplace, builds confidence, and gives them insight into a fast-paced, customer-focused industry. I’m delighted to see schools like Dunbar Grammar creating such engaging learning environments and giving pupils meaningful opportunities to prepare for life beyond the classroom.'

More information about the Barista Skills Award.