News Story
Jan 2025 / Learners
A community café in the heart of a Newport estate is providing a valuable professional stepping stone for learners.
The coffee shop, located within Ringland Community Centre, is run entirely by Newport Youth Academy students who are undertaking qualifications through the Jobs Growth Wales + scheme.
The programme offers teens aged 16 to 19 the chance to hone their professional skills, by gaining qualifications that will ready them for the world of work and beyond. Within the café, learners can practice their catering and hospitality skills, earn food safety qualifications and gain experience preparing food on a large scale as they are often involved in catering for community events.
Rhion Hollister, Delivery Manager at Newport Youth Academy, said: “Intel from local labour market and sector growth in Hospitality and Catering helped us shape the provision. We saw sustainable employment opportunities in Newport and with this in mind we needed to create a live environment where students could try and test their skills in-house before going on a work placement.”
As the café is only open to staff, students and some clients, it has become a valuable stepping stone for learners looking to branch out into the busy environment of the hospitality sector, allowing them to experience the hustle and bustle of a busy café without some of the pressures of a chain store or larger operation.
“We were also discussing ideas on how we can improve learner confidence and life skills,” Rhion added.
“Dealing with customer and cooking low-cost meals have contributed to the improved health and wellbeing of the students who work in the café but also those who have free hot drinks and meals.”
Not only are learners responsible for the day-to-day running of the café, which is open three days a week, some were also integral to its conception, helping to set up the space as well as train new students who wanted to learn how to make different hot drinks. For many, their time working in the café has ignited a passion for the hospitality sector and they are now looking to pursue a job in that field.
“The café is here to stay,” Rhion said. “Definitely the most rewarding aspect of it is seeing the students getting invaluable work experience in a controlled environment as well as all the students having a hot meal and drink daily.”
