According to the MD, Dillon Jearey, the initiative aligns with the company's core values. "Coffee is about passion and energy - essential ingredients to being successful in our fast-paced and high-pressured industry. We believe in inspiring and empowering people to be the best that they can be, so the trained baristas will be given the opportunity to run the coffee shop as their own enterprise."
Jearey is adamant that upliftment is not an overnight fix. "Besides providing the premises and facilities at no charge, and ensuring an ongoing clientele of staff and clients, we are committed to giving the new entrepreneurs financial and business mentorship. Some of our own staff members will be on hand to guide them and we will also cover some of the daily expenses.
"We are tapping into our network to find future employment opportunities for the new baristas at other companies, restaurants and coffee shops. We also plan to build a mobile coffee unit that can service technical teams who are on site for the setting up and breaking down of events as the food suppliers are generally not yet up and running."
Jearey said that anyone wishing to apply for the training must be self-motivated, reliable, and have a great attitude. "Brewing the perfect cup of coffee at the most popular coffee shop in town is like a creating a mind-blowing event. It's not only hard work and long hours, you need to be creative and unique in your approach, and you need to deliver the service with great energy and a smile to ensure that your clients keep coming back time and time again."
Front of House will be open to the public between 8.30am and 5pm at Kilowatt's premises - Kilowatt House, 6 Oude Molen Park, Oude Molen Road, Ndabeni. Applicants for the professional barista training and employment opportunities must be South African citizens and at least 18 years old.
To apply, send your details and a motivation of why you want to be a barista to az.oc.ttawolik@ofni (include Kilowatt Barista in the subject line).
