SCA Barista Skills Intermediate Course

Build greater control, consistency and confidence behind the espresso bar.


The SCA Barista Skills Intermediate course is designed for practising baristas who want to deepen their technical understanding and develop a more consistent, considered approach to coffee preparation and service.

Across this two-day course, you’ll move beyond following recipes to understand how and why different variables affect espresso extraction, milk texture, drink quality and workflow. Through practical exercises and accessible theory, you’ll learn how to diagnose problems, make informed adjustments and communicate your decisions clearly.


The course is delivered by Bee Southworth, North Star’s Coffee Partnerships & Training Manager and an Authorised SCA Trainer. Bee has more than 16 years of experience across coffee retail, commercial and specialty training, education and partnerships. Her teaching style is practical, approachable and focused on helping people understand the science without making coffee feel unnecessarily complicated.

This course is best suited to working baristas with existing experience using a commercial espresso machine. Completion of SCA Barista Skills Foundation is recommended, but baristas with equivalent practical knowledge and experience are also welcome.

What You'll Learn

Across the two days, you’ll explore:

How dose, yield, time, grind size and temperature influence espresso extraction
How to evaluate espresso and adjust recipes using both taste and measurement
The relationship between extraction, strength and flavour
How coffee origin, processing and roast profile can affect espresso preparation
Consistent dosing, distribution and tamping techniques
Milk composition and its effect on steaming, texture and flavour
How to produce consistent microfoam and pour a range of drinks
Efficient bar setup, workflow and drink sequencing
How to maintain quality and consistency during service
Customer service and effective communication behind the bar
Equipment care, cleaning and preventative maintenance
Basic café costings and how waste, recipes and workflow affect profitability
The course includes practical and written assessments. Learners who successfully complete both will receive the internationally recognised SCA Barista Skills Intermediate certification.

Price: £495 including VAT, SCA fees and lunches
Date: 21st & 22nd October (Two day course)
Time: 9:30am–4:30pm each day

Where: North Star Coffee Hub