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Coffee craft. Workplace confidence.

CTH Level 2 Award in Barista Skills

Learn the craft. Practise in a working café. Prepare for your next move.

Build coffee and customer-service skills through practical training at Java Lounge, Nawala. Explore a paid internship pathway for eligible learners and recruitment interview opportunities following internship completion.

Discuss the Barista programmeExplore the workplace pathway
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Teaching time
34 hoursPractical and theory
Study pattern
Weekend batchesEnglish-medium teaching
Training venue
Java LoungeNawala branch
Class size
Up to 20 learnersPer batch

Beyond the classroom

A clearer route towards the workplace.

Develop the skill, build practical experience and prepare to meet an employer. Internship eligibility and recruitment decisions are separate from earning the qualification.

  1. 01

    Learn the craft

    Espresso, milk texturing, equipment care and café service, with practical and theory sessions.

  2. 02

    Build workplace habits

    Two guest sessions cover professional grooming, workplace ethics and employee behaviour in hospitality.

  3. 03

    Explore a paid internship

    Java Lounge internship arrangements are available for eligible learners below age 35 with at least 80% course attendance. Outlet allocation depends on availability.

  4. 04

    Prepare for recruitment

    Recruitment interview opportunities follow internship completion, subject to performance and Java Lounge's arrangements. An interview is not a guaranteed job.

Internship eligibility and interview support

Internships may begin during the course, depending on the student's requirements and arrangements. The reported work pattern is eight-hour shifts, five days per week. Confirm placement timing, current terms and allowance with ILT before committing.

Interview selection and timing are managed by Java Lounge. Following an unsuccessful interview, ILT offers CV-rewriting support and works with Java Lounge to identify areas for improvement. Employment remains the employer's decision.

Inside practical training

See the craft.
Step into the practice.

Watch a demonstration. Understand the equipment. Put technique into practice alongside other ILT learners in a working café.

Try a Hospitality learning activity
Learners watch an instructor beside an espresso machine and a grinder filled with coffee beans
An instructor pours milk into a cup while learners observe beside the espresso machine
An instructor explains equipment beside a commercial espresso machine in the cafe

A working caféJava Lounge, Nawala

Guided learning34 hours of practical and theory teaching

Workplace habitsProfessional presentation and customer care

Your starting point

Turn an interest in coffee into a practical skill.

For school leavers, hospitality employees, aspiring café owners and career changers. Start from age 16 with basic English knowledge; English support is available for learners who need it.

Assessment and completion

The course includes final practical and MCQ assessments. Learners must achieve a pass or above in both to complete the course.

Weekend study formats cover the same curriculum at different weekly frequencies. Ask ILT to confirm the duration and timetable for your chosen batch.

Meet your teaching team

Your Barista Skills teaching team

Dilshy Perera

Dilshy Perera is Head of Training & Research and Development at The Colombo Coffee Company, where he leads the training academy, curriculum design, coffee quality control and specialty coffee training. His experience includes Barista Trainer at Fits Retail, Duty & Training Manager and Head Barista at Café Noir, and consulting and staff-training projects with Isle of Gelato and Wishque Chloe Café. He was the 2019 National Barista Champion in the competition organised by the Ceylon Hotel School Graduates’ Association.

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Hirusha Karunasena

Hirusha Karunasena

Hirusha Karunasena is professionally trained in Barista Skills and Food & Beverage, with hands-on barista experience in Sri Lanka and Dubai. He has worked with Segafredo Café and Delifrance Café at BIA Duty Free, runs his own café in Kuliyapitiya, and has teaching experience as a Barista Lecturer at NYSC Maharagama.

View lecturer profile

Student voices

Barista students, in their own words.

How you will learn

Learn by doing, with clear feedback.

Practice

Practical and concept sessions on the current approved schedule

Projects

Practice on commercial equipment

Feedback

Timed service simulations

Progress

Skills observation and feedback

Career possibilities

Use learning to move forward.

Can strengthen applications for suitable café and hospitality roles. Training does not guarantee work permission or employment.

Progression

Your possible next step.

Progress into hospitality programmes, café employment, supervisory development or entrepreneurship.

Why ILTCTH UK award, practical delivery, TVEC-approved-centre status where applicable, and the advertised Java Lounge paid internship only under approved eligibility and guarantee terms.
Entry requirementsEntry requirements are assessed against current programme and awarding-body criteria.
Fees and scheduleContact ILT for current approved fees, instalments, schedules and intake dates.
Talk to an adviserChoose the route that suits your goals and current qualifications.

Before you join

Your Barista questions, answered.

Can I join without hospitality experience?

The programme starts from age 16 and requires basic English knowledge. No specific prior qualification is stated in the supplied course information. English support is available where needed; admissions can confirm suitability for your circumstances.

Where and when will I train?

Training takes place at Java Lounge's Nawala branch. Current batches run at weekends in English, with 34 hours of practical and theory teaching. Study formats cover the same curriculum at different weekly frequencies; confirm your batch's duration, timetable and intake with ILT.

How do I complete the qualification?

You must achieve a pass or above in both the final practical assessment and the MCQ assessment.

Who is eligible for the paid internship?

The supplied internship criteria are age below 35 and at least 80% course attendance. Outlet allocation depends on availability. Discuss your eligibility, placement timing and current written terms with ILT. Course admission from age 16 and internship eligibility are separate.

Does an employer interview guarantee a job?

No. Recruitment interview opportunities follow internship completion, subject to performance and Java Lounge's arrangements. The employer decides on recruitment. ILT offers CV-rewriting support and improvement guidance following an unsuccessful interview.

What should I wear for practical sessions?

A white collared shirt tucked into black trousers, with black shoes. The supplied information states that Java Lounge provides equipment and the internship uniform. Confirm other inclusions with ILT before purchasing materials.

What are the fees and internship allowance?

Contact ILT for current course fees, payment arrangements and internship allowance terms. An allowance should not be treated as a guaranteed salary or permanent employment offer.

First page of the supplied CTH Level 2 format example
CTH Level 2 format example · Preview of the supplied document

Your qualification

View a sample certificate.

Explore the supplied certificate example and open the complete PDF for a closer look.

This supplied sample shows Culinary Skills. Its accompanying note says the Barista certificate uses a similar format with the title Barista Skills. It is a format reference, not an exact Barista certificate.

For illustration only. Names, dates, grades and centres shown are sample details, not evidence of an ILT student's award. The final certificate is subject to the issuing body's current requirements.

View sample PDFDownload sample

Not sure whether this is right for you?

Speak to an ILT course adviser about your next step.

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