Café Skills
Enrolling now for 2026 (Free for youth under 25 years)
Café Skills (Level 2)
- * This programme is offered by VSTET to achieve the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (Level 2), with the appropriate literacy and numeracy.
- * The programme content and evidence requirements also enable the achievement of: * New Zealand Certificate in Hospitality -L2 With a focus on food and beverages. Achieving the hospitality qualification is a cross crediting process undertaken at the end of the programme and does not involve any extra costs or time and effort.
Qualifications Awarded Upon Successful Completion
- National Certificate of Educational Achievement (Level 2) with the appropriate literacy and numeracy.
- New Zealand Certificate in Hospitality (Level 2)
Future Pathways
Employment
A graduate of this programme will have the knowledge and skills to work safely at entry level in a Café or similar hospitality context. Graduates will be able to make a range of hot and cold non-alcoholic beverages under supervision, including espresso coffee. Graduates will also be able to make a range of salads, sandwiches, baked goods, and hot dishes.
Further Study
- Achievement of the qualification NCEA L2 in the context of hospitality can lead on to further study at alternative tertiary providers to potentially achieve,
- New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 3).
- New Zealand Certificate in Accommodation (Level 3) with strands in Housekeeping, Portering, and Reception.
- New Zealand Certificate in Catering Services (Level 3).
- New Zealand Certificate in Food and Beverage Service (Level 3) with strands in Café Services, Bar Services, Restaurant Services, Buffet Services, Functions Services, Barista, and Quick Service Restaurant Services [Ref: 2104].
- Alternatively, graduates may choose to progress to study or training at NZQF level 3, including the New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 3) [Ref: 2863].
Graduate Outcomes
Graduates will have essential skills and knowledge, including barista skills, which may assist with obtaining future employment in a café context. Successfully completing this programme will support the graduate to obtain suitable employment in the sector and may pathway the graduate to higher level training in a food and beverage environment.
The successful graduate will, in summary, be able to:
- Engage with customers
- Prepare basic café food
- Prepare beverages
- Support good health and safety practices
- Identify career and employment pathways.
Underpinning all these specific cafe skills will be literacy and numeracy relevant to the context.