Brewing Success: Empowering the Next Generation of Coffee Professionals

We believe that young talent is essential for sustainable economic growth and development, and we are committed to providing them with tools to improve their employability.

In 2021, Nestlé Professional launched the Nestlé Young Baristas initiative in Colombia, followed by Chile, with the goal to develop young talent and provide them better employment opportunities in the dynamic coffee industry. 

Julio Silva, Head of Beverages in LATAM, explains “Nestlé Young Baristas is not only about addressing skills gaps in the industry but also about supporting our communities. We believe that by investing in the future of young people, we are investing in the future of our company and the industry as a whole.”

In 2022, the program was expanded throughout Latin America, including countries such as Brazil, Mexico, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Argentina, Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Peru among others. The training received many applicants and by the end of 2022, over 400 students had graduated from the Nestlé Young Barista program.

Starting with a Strong Coffee Foundation

In each market, the program offers participants a comprehensive coffee training through a mix of virtual and in-person learning modules, including:

• Introduction to the world of coffee:  Coffee origins, types, and processes
• Mastering Coffee Quality: From selection and classification to industrialization 
• Coffee Preparation: Brewing methods, extraction techniques, latte art, importance of water
• Coffee Roasting
• Coffee Tasting Fundamentals
• Entrepreneurship and Employability: How to open your own coffee business, how to prepare for interviews and search for a job in the coffee industry

In some countries, the Nestlé Young Baristas expanded the training program to include additional activities, from an immersive 360° virtual reality tour of coffee plantation to a visit to the Nescafé coffee plant or a visit to a real coffee farm.  

Graduates are also given access to internships and employee exchanges at Nestlé Professional, Nespresso boutiques and with other Nestlé Professional partners.

Continuing to Expand the Program

In 2023, Nestlé Professional plans to keep extending the program, and targets to equip over 800 aspiring professionals with additional tools for a budding career as a barista, coffee specialist or coffee entrepreneur. 

“We are excited to see the impact that our program has on the lives of young people and the out of home coffee industry and we are committed to continuing to invest in their future and look forward to give more young people opportunities,” explains Julio Silva.  

Nestlé Professional is proud of the success of the Nestlé Young Barista Program and the impact it continues to have on the lives of young people. As part of the Nestlé Global Youth Initiative, which aims to help 10 million young people around the world gain access to economic opportunities by 2030 through free accredited education and work experience.

We are honored to be a part of this important work and look forward to seeing it evolve across other markets. Together, we are Making More Possible and creating the recipe for a brighter future!