THE art of making coffee is not quite as simple as it seems, Griffith students found out last week.
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Neither is serving food or alcohol, they also discovered.
Thirty students from a number of high schools have now successfully gained their Responsible Service of Alcohol, Responsible Conduct of Gambling and Food Safety Handler certificates and all learnt how to make a brilliant espresso.
The three-day summer school course was hosted by Hospitality Training Australia, in partnership with Wade High School, and was aimed at giving the students a kick-start in their hospitality careers.
HTA training manager Stephen Brophy said it was all about trying to convince students that hospitality could be more than just a casual job.
"We've been talking to council about the possibility of coming back to the region on a regular basis," Mr Brophy said.
"If they stay in the job, baristas in Sydney good baristas can make $50 an hour."
Presenting the certificates, Griffith Mayor John Dal Broi urged the students to consider hospitality as a permanent career path.
Now armed with the skills to enter a wide array of workforces, students like Wade High's Tayla Haig were happy to have the opportunity to learn.
"It was good fun," Tayla said.
"It looks good on the resume and I've never made coffee on a coffee machine before so that was good."
HTA principal executive officer Simon Phillips said there was a need for locally-based training in the Griffith region.
"The qualifications and experience are industry-recognised and will put young people in the box seat to gain part-time or permanent work in future," Mr Phillips said.