EAC Brew Barista launch 14

Brew 31 Barista Bar launched at Kilmarnock Academy

Kilmarnock Academy has become the latest school in East Ayrshire to launch its own Barista Bar, aimed at giving pupils real-world work skills, gained in a supportive environment.

Brew 31 is a fully equipped Barista Coffee bar supported by Developing the Young Workforce Ayrshire and the Prince's Trust and offers the opportunity to learn a range of practical and technical skills much in demand in the hospitality sector.

Councillor Fiona Campbell, East Ayrshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Skills and Learning said:  “The Council’s Education Service has adopted a forward-thinking approach when it comes to ensuring our young people are workforce ready.

“Working with our partners, we’re offering innovative thinking and solutions to make sure our young people enjoy every opportunity to succeed in school and in life and making sure they are workforce ready is a key Council commitment.”

Claire Baird, DYW Ayrshire Project Executive added: “We are delighted to support Brew 31 at Kilmarnock Academy in partnership with The Prince's Trust.

“The aim of the project is to develop employability skills in our young people, offering  accreditation to help support them with the transition to their future career.”

Walter Smith, Chair of the Prince’s Trust, Ayrshire said: “It continues to delight us as we see young people participating in innovative projects and demonstrating the new skills they have already gained such as confidence and customer service, in addition to gaining qualifications in Barista Skills and Customer Care.”

Notes to editors

Brew 31 is funded by Developing Young Workforce Ayrshire and the Prince’s Trust Scotland Development Awards through the Scottish Government Young People Initiative and the Cash Back for Community Fund.