Coffee Master Programme

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Coffee Master Journey – Guidance and Expectations

Coffee Master Programme

This presentation contains all the essential information to help you understand what it takes to become a Coffee Master. It will guide you through the key stages of the Coffee Master Journey, explaining the expectations, the process you will follow, and the requirements you need to meet before your graduation meeting. Please ensure you review it carefully and use it as your reference point throughout your journey. If you have any questions or need any additional support, please reach out to your Store Manager or Regional BEC.

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Index

Testimonials

Graduation

Portfolio/ Portfolio Checklist

Presentation

Programme Flow

Starbucks Global Academy

Discussion with UBM/Barista Trainer

Introduction

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Introduction

Welcome to your Coffee Master journey

You’ve chosen this journey because of your passion and desire to share the rich world of coffee with others. It’s your curiosity, your drive to learn, and your ability to connect with customers that have brought you here. As a Coffee Master, you will not only deepen your own understanding of coffee but also carry the responsibility of inspiring those around you—both your team and the customers you serve. This journey will shape you into a trusted storyteller, a role model, and an advocate for coffee excellence. The impact you’ll have will go far beyond the cup, reaching every person who shares in your knowledge and passion.

Portfolio/Checklist

Presentation

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Programme Flow

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Chat with UBM

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Starbucks Global Academy

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Barista Trainer Programme

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Graduation

Becoming a certified Coffee Master at Welcome Break is an exciting and enriching experience. While there is no strict time frame for completing the program, we recommend completing it within three months to ensure the knowledge stays fresh and the activities are easier to present. Throughout the program, you’ll engage in a series of learning modules designed to deepen your coffee expertise. It’s important to complete and document all required activities for each module, as you will be expected to present your work during the Coffee Master graduation ceremony.

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The Role of a Coffee Master is to:Be a guardian and champion of coffee quality Each new partner is properly trained and coached during their Barista Basics period to ensure they have the right competencies to produce the perfect beverage. Every beverage that is made is right for our customers. Each equipment used to brew or prepare beverages is clean and maintained. Understand and share the Starbucks difference Teach and train your fellow team members the importance of executing barista basics and preparing beverages. Explain and train brewing in all methods and tasting coffee. Trade stories about what we do to help our farmers and our communities. Become a mentor for new team members and Coffee Masters on their journey. Positively impact your team, your customers, and the business Engage your team by being a role model and lead by example in all aspects of our business. Produce the perfect beverage according to standards. Help customers connect with coffee and help them with everything from selecting the right whole bean or brewing method for home to choosing the right beverage.

Chat with UBM

Understanding Coffee Master Role

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Barista Trainer

Complete the Training on Attensi (Starbucks - Not Highway!)

As part of the Coffee Master Journey, the learner must demonstrate their ability to train new partners using the Starbucks Teaching Module. To support this, the learner must complete the Barista Trainer Programme ahead of their Coffee Master Graduation. This programme is available on Attensi, and the learner will need to discuss and demonstrate how to effectively deliver Barista Basic Training to new partners during their graduation. To action this: ✅ Assign the Barista Trainer position to the learner on Attensi. ✅ Ensure the learner completes all required Barista Trainer training modules. If you have any questions, please reach out to your Regional BEC for support.

Please ensure you complete all required learning ahead of your graduation meeting.

3. Search for the required courses -next page

2. Register the account

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To begin the required learning for your Coffee Master Journey, please follow the steps below: 1. Access Attensi and locate the relevant training link, search: Starbucks Global Academy Alternatively, you can go directly to: https://courses.starbucksglobalacademy.com

Starbucks Global Academy

Required courses/resources

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Starbucks Global Academy

Level 100

Level 200

Level 300 - Origin and Ethical Sourcing - Roast and Blend - Brew and Craft

Building Sensory Skills

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Showcase Your Coffee Master Journey – Inspire Your Team!

As you progress through the Starbucks Global Academy, take a moment to reflect on the knowledge and insights you’ve gained so far. Think about creative ways you can showcase your discoveries to your fellow partners — this could be a visual display, a mini presentation during a team meeting, a creative poster for your back-of-house board, or even a short video or social media post (internal platforms like Journey). Ask yourself: ☕️ What was the most fascinating fact I’ve learned so far? ☕️ What has changed the way I think about coffee? ☕️ How could my new knowledge help my team enhance coffee connection moments with customers? Remember, your passion and creativity could inspire someone else to start their own Coffee Master journey! We can’t wait to see your ideas come to life — be bold, have fun, and share your story.

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Throughout your Coffee Master journey, you will be asked to complete several tasks and activities. It is important that you keep a record of all your work — this could include your coffee tastings, reflections, presentations, research, and any creative pieces you produce along the way. All these materials will form part of your final presentation during your Graduation. Make sure you gather everything in one place — a portfolio, digital folder, or physical workbook — so you can proudly showcase your learning, creativity, and passion when the time comes to celebrate your Coffee Master achievement.

Portfolio

SGA Certificates

SGA Sensory Guide -Activity Guide

BROT's

Presentation

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Your Leadership Action Plan is a key component of the Coffee Master Programme, ensuring that you grow as a leader while enhancing team collaboration and elevating the customer experience. A structured approach will drive engagement, knowledge-sharing, and continuous improvement in coffee excellence. Your Task: Prepare a Leadership Action Plan with up to three SMART actions (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) and email them to your Regional BEC ahead of your graduation. These actions will be reviewed annually. Example SMART Actions: 1. Lead Engaging Coffee Tastings Action: Organize and lead at least two interactive coffee tastings per month for partners and customers, focusing on different roast profiles and brewing methods. Partners: Strengthen their coffee knowledge and confidence in sharing coffee stories. Customers: Deepen their appreciation for coffee flavors, enhancing their overall experience. 2. Mentor New Baristas in Coffee Craft Action: Pair with at least one new barista per quarter to coach them on coffee knowledge, drink quality, and storytelling techniques Partners: Build confidence in new team members and improve drink consistency. Customers: Enjoy consistently well-crafted beverages and engaging interactions. 3. Elevate the Customer Connection Action: Implement a "Coffee Conversation" initiative where every partner shares at least one coffee fact or story with five customers per shift. By embedding these leadership actions, you will inspire your team, elevate customer experience, and strengthen the coffee culture in your store. Your leadership starts here!

Portfolio -Leadership plan

You’re Almost There! By now, you should feel incredible—knowledgeable, confident, and ready to practice one more time everything you’ve learned. Before your graduation, there’s just one final step to complete The Coffee Master Portfolio Review activity with your UBM. This activity should be completed during your coffee tasting session with your UBM. It’s a valuable opportunity to ensure that all graduation requirements are met while receiving constructive feedback. Think of it as your safe space to showcase your journey, refine your confidence, and prepare to present with a wider audience. Once these steps are completed, you’ll be fully prepared to book your graduation and celebrate your achievement!

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Portfolio -Checklist

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By this point, you will feel incredible! You should be fueled with new knowledge, bursting with passion for coffee, and buzzing with excitement after delivering your storytelling coffee tasting session. This is your moment to shine as a Coffee Master — not just showcasing your skills, but inspiring your fellow partners through the stories, flavours, and experiences you’ve discovered along the way. What’s next? Get in touch with your Regional BEC to request your graduation date. No luck needed — you’ve got this! You’ve worked incredibly hard, gained exceptional knowledge, and now it’s time to celebrate your achievement and officially become a Coffee Master. We can’t wait to see you wear your Black Apron with pride!

Booking your Graduation

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Coffee Master Graduation Overview It’s time for your Coffee Master graduation, which will be conducted with your Brand Excellence Coach (BEC). During the graduation, the following key areas will be covered: 1, Provide Certificates & Completion of Barista Trainer Program (5 minutes): Present your BEC with your certificates from Levels 100–300 and proof of completing the Barista Trainer Program. 2. Coffee Tasting (10 minutes): Use your creativity to showcase how you will conduct coffee tastings in-store to engage, educate, and inspire your team. Make sure your coffee passport is available for review during this session. 3 Review Your Global Academy Journey (25 minutes) -Presentation Demonstrate your knowledge from Levels 100–300 of the Global Academy. Get creative in how you present your learning—whether through a presentation, learning cards, or another format—to actively engage your BEC and highlight the knowledge you've gained. 4. Demonstrate Drink Quality Assessment (5 minutes): Show your ability to assess and ensure drink quality in-store. Discuss key opportunities and actions for improvement, and provide a minimum of three completed BROTS for review. 5. Leadership Plan Discussion (10 minutes): Outline your leadership plan for the next 12 months, focusing on how you will continue to grow and inspire others in your Coffee Master role. Your Ongoing Coffee Journey Your journey as a Coffee Master is just the beginning—there’s always more to explore in the world of coffee. Continue to learn, share your knowledge, and connect with others, whether it’s through coffee tastings, brewing together, or telling coffee stories. The joy of learning and discovery will only grow as you guide others on this journey. Enjoy the Journey!

Your Graduation

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What does Black apron means to you?

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How would you encourage new partners to start their Coffee Master journey?

"It makes me proud and gives me a great achievement as it’s not an easy course to complete, you really have to delve into that coffee master mind frame, you need to be willing to learn new things, practise old tricks and coach others! " "To me to wear the apron means I have the knowledge and I have the ability to share that knowledge. I know a lot of the team joke that I should be able to do brilliant latte art, but for me the black apron is not to say that I am perfect with making coffees – it’s to say I have more of an understanding about coffee, the journey the coffee goes on, the communities that make the coffee, Starbucks and how they source their coffee, and then how we serve and partner that coffee for customers. It is about being that connection between the customer and the coffee". "It means a lot to me to wear the black apron as it represents my commitment to high standards. Whenever I go to other Starbucks stores I always look out for the black aprons, as you can be sure to get the best quality service and product from these members of staff". "I am proud that I wear my black apron and represents that extra knowledge that I have, but on the day to day I do find it difficult to make the most of it by doing coffee tastings etc to a higher levels as it is always really difficult in my store because getting the whole team together as one without having to jump back and serve customers is difficult, so I feel I don't always get the opportunity to use my status to its full potential day to day".

"I would encourage them to start their journey by registering for the global academy and assigning themselves the skill levels. My biggest pointer for them would be to go fill in their passport, to challenge themselves to go and try different coffees and pairings, within and outside Starbucks, and to them do some research for each of them coffees. This will then all link back in as they are going through the academy as they can then make connections between the different coffees they have tried and the things they learn". "If you’re passionate about coffee, about learning something new, teaching new things and trying new things, go for it! I would encourage team members by hosting coffee tastings, getting them involved and talking about the programme" "Before new partner's started their journey I would make them aware that it isn't just about now having a black apron, but that they need to lead doing extra things within the store and lead their own learning, supported by me or one of their Service Leaders. I would only really push those who I know were genuinely passionate about the coffee journey, as it is a lot of work for someone who isn't really particularly interested".

Testimonials