SCA UK: the benchmark for specialty coffee in England

Let’s discover what SCA UK is, the English branch of the association that has become an international benchmark for coffee education and knowledge.

If you’re talking about specialty coffee, professional training, and international certifications, there’s one name you need to know: the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA). This global organization is dedicated to research, education, and the promotion of high-quality coffee, bringing together professionals, businesses, and passionate coffee lovers from all over the world.

The SCA was born from the merger between the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) and the Specialty Coffee Association of Europe (SCAE), with the goal of creating shared international standards and supporting the entire coffee supply chain, from farm to cup.
To better manage its worldwide operations, the SCA established national sections, known as “Chapters.” In the UK, that’s where SCA UK comes in

SCA UK: The English Chapter of the Specialty Coffee Association

SCA UK is the official British chapter of the Specialty Coffee Association, and it serves as the go-to resource for anyone working in or wanting to enter the specialty coffee industry. The UK chapter focuses on:
– Spreading the culture of specialty coffee through events, competitions, and educational initiatives.
– Organizing the Coffee Championships, the official qualifiers for the World Coffee Events international competitions.
–  Supporting accredited training schools that offer certified programs for industry professionals.
– Promoting SCA certifications, recognized worldwide for their quality and reliability.

As many coffee enthusiasts know, SCA is recognized as a reference on training and certification in the coffee industry. This is why SCA UK also identifies with the schools and trainers who offer courses and SCA certifications. These are now widespread across the country, for example,

– London School of Coffee  – London
– Origin Coffee School – Cornwall
– Artisan coffee school – London
– Aimers Coffee and Tea – Dundee
– Dash Coffee Lab – Leigh-On-Sea

How to Become an SCA Trainer and Join SCA UK

For many, taking part in SCA courses is the first step towards becoming an SCA trainer, or more specifically, an AST (Authorized SCA Trainer) — a recognized and accredited coffee educator by the Specialty Coffee Association.

This journey, well explained in this post, begins by attending various levels of courses related to the area in which you wish to become a coffee educator (roasting, barista, brewing, etc.).
It’s important to note that for certain paths, SCA will require candidates to pass exams that, although not strictly related to the area they want to teach, are considered very useful and relevant. For example, if someone wants to teach roasting, they will likely need knowledge of green coffee or professional coffee tasting. In recent years, SCA has included these “Accessory Courses” within the SCA Skill Diploma System.

Once the final professional exam is passed at the chosen training center, the AST candidate will directly contact SCA for the final stage of training, which mainly involves dealing with the bureaucracy and SCA’s workflow. The last step: payment of the AST fee, which is not cheap, currently around €1,700 every three years.

SCA itself provides more information on this page. In fact, no, it is not necessary to be an SCA trainer or an AST to work as a coffee educator or teach barista courses.

In UK, no specific qualification is required to teach coffee or latte art. Anyone could theoretically decide to open their own school and start teaching. However, in the long term, the real difference will be made by the market, the trainer’s skills, and experience, which will clearly emerge during courses.

The coffee world is constantly evolving: the SCA approach, specialty coffee, and the sensory experience linked to tasting are becoming more and more relevant. This means that, even though being a certified SCA trainer is not mandatory to teach barista courses, having solid training in this field can be a great advantage.

SCA courses offer in-depth, internationally recognized training, providing technical and theoretical skills that can help an instructor stand out. So, while it may not be essential to become a certified SCA trainer to teach barista courses, obtaining an SCA certification can greatly enhance a trainer’s credibility and professional value.

Is it necessary to be part of SCA UK to become a coffee educator?

In fact, no, it is not required to be an SCA trainer or an AST to work as a coffee educator, teach coffee, or run barista courses.

In UK, no specific qualification is needed to become a coffee educator; almost anyone can decide, overnight, to open their own school.

What makes the real difference, however, will be the market and the trainer’s skills, which will undoubtedly show through during the courses. Considering how the coffee world has been changing in recent years, especially in terms of the SCA, specialty coffee, and coffee as an experience, those skills are more important than ever.

Becoming an SCA trainer is not essential to become a coffee educator, but even in Italy, the expertise gained from SCA courses can be vital.

Espresso Academy: A SCA Academy in Europe and in Italy! (yes, we know that we are not in UK :))

With many locations in Italy and abroad, Espresso Academy’s trainers are members and trainers (AST) of SCA. (if you want to find out how to become an SCA trainer, keep reading this post—you’ll be there in two minutes).
Thanks to its numerous trainers, each specialized in a different area of coffee education, Espresso Academy is one of the few coffee schools in Italy (and the world) to offer all the courses from the SCA Coffee Skills Program, covering every aspect of the coffee supply chain, from production to preparation. In fact, although it’s not technically accurate, it could be considered an “SCA academy.”

Espresso Academy’s training program includes:

• Barista Skills: for those who want to specialize in preparing espresso and cappuccino according to international standards.
• Brewing: dedicated to coffee extraction methods such as V60, Chemex, AeroPress, and Syphon.
• Coffee Roasting: for those who want to learn the art of coffee roasting, both at a craft and industrial level.
• Green Coffee: to deepen knowledge of green coffee, its origins, and the methods used to evaluate quality.
• Sensory Skills and Coffee Value Assessment (CVA): to develop advanced tasting and coffee evaluation skills.
• Coffee Machines Maintenance & Repair: a technical course for those who want to become experts in maintaining and repairing coffee equipment.
• Introduction to Coffee: an introductory course to the world of coffee, covering all areas of the coffee supply chain. Perfect for those wanting to start discovering this product.
• Sustainability in the Coffee Chain: dedicated to the dynamics of sustainability in the coffee sector. For those who want to explore the social, economic, and environmental issues that impact every stage of the coffee supply chain.

Naturally, this “SCA academy,” Espresso Academy, offers all levels for these courses: foundation, intermediate, and professional.