Overview
Coffee shop and café assistants work in coffee shops and cafes and specialise in making coffee, teas, juices and lunches for customers.
Activities
- Making hot and cold drinks
- Taking customers orders
- Serving customers
- Preparing food like sandwiches, cakes and salads
- Cleaning the kitchen
- Washing up
- Cleaning tables
Organisations
There are lots of places across the region that employ café assistants – tea shops, cafes and coffee shops. Some of the shops could be large organisations like Costa Coffee other could be small independent shops in your local town.
Workplace
Café assistants mainly work indoors although some cafes can have tables outside.
Working Hours
The working hours for coffee shop assistants vary depending on where they are employed. Some are on duty about 40 hours a week, although many work part-time.
Salary
Starting salary is £13,000.
Qualifications
You do not need any particular qualifications to become a cafe assistant, although some employers may ask you to have a good general standard of education, especially in English and Maths other will be much more flexible. You’ll be in a stronger position when looking for work if you have experience in customer care or kitchen experience as employers may value this more than qualification level.
You can apply directly for jobs. Some employers may prefer you to have experience in customer service or catering which you could gain from doing work experience or volunteering.
You could also apply for an apprenticeship. If you have an EHCP, you may be able to apply under the DfE exemption which allows the apprentice to use Entry Level 3 English and Maths qualifications. The apprentice would have to be competent enough to successfully achieve all other aspects of the apprenticeship requirements, become occupationally competent and achieve Entry Level 3 in English and Maths before the end of their apprenticeship.