Shiny new coffee machines herald upgrades at Oamaru Campus

Shiny new coffee machines herald upgrades at Oamaru Campus

The wifi has been upgraded and all the classrooms have new furniture, but it’s the new barista machines that have created a buzz at Ara Institute of Canterbury’s Oamaru Campus.

Barista students began using three new industry-grade machines this week under the watchful eye of tutor Rebecca Huston-Orme. Kitchen facilities have also been upgraded for the arrival of the machines with support and design assistance from C4 coffee.

The one year Vocational Pathway Dual Enrolment in Hospitality prepares students in Oamaru for the bustling local cafe and restaurant scene. The level 3 programme runs for one year and caters to 15 to 19 year olds who want to study full time at Ara and get started on their career.

“This upgraded facility provides opportunities to engage further in youth pathways, community events and short courses. Ara will have the opportunity to build on the reputation we have established for connecting with youth in the region, coupled with providing pathways to further education and employment. We are excited about working with secondary schools and the community to build a future for all,” Ara Academic Manager Hospitality Travel & Tourism Tony Kesseler said.

The programme is delivered through flexible blended learning with an online component and face to face tutorials. It spans cooking, baking and barista skills as well as making non-alcoholic cocktails, preparing students for cafes, restaurants and bars or stimulating their passion for hospitality and further study at Ara.

All-important communication skills and understanding of the industry context is an aspect of the programme that employers particularly value.

And staff and students at Oamaru today will be loving the free coffees that will be given away.

Ara also offers a similar programme in Oamaru for Canterbury Tertiary College students, who can remain enrolled at their school and complete NCEA credits while getting a taste for a career in hospitality two days a week at Ara.

The upgrades at Oamaru campus are part of the Regional Master Plan at Ara. Athfield Architects are assisting Ara to assess all the campuses and match facilities to more innovative and flexible learning delivery that meets regional needs. Across Ara, buildings are being upgraded and new facilities are being constructed so that Ara can offer dynamic learning environments that are aligned to industry workplaces.

© Scoop Media