Starbucks is famous for quality coffee and excellent customer service, and what makes their reputation possible is the training that all new employees receive.
However, if you want to know more about Starbucks training, how long it takes, whether you get paid during the training period, and what’s covered in the training, carry on reading to learn more about this topic!
Key Takeaways
Starbucks Training In 2022
Starbucks training for new hires is the basis for their quality service and drinks, consisting of a mixture of hands-on learning and self-guided study using materials like training manuals and booklets, videos, computer modules, Coffee and Tea passports, and the Green Apron Book. Additionally, new hires are paid for all training.
If you have further questions about Starbucks training such as its duration, what the training covers, and more, keep reading for the answers below!
What Is Starbucks Training?
Starbucks invests a lot of time and effort in training their new hires, because the quality of training that baristas receive is the basis for the quality of service and products at each store.
The training that new baristas receive enables them to provide consistent quality and service that defines the Starbucks Experience for customers and goes toward creating the Third-Place atmosphere the company strives to offer.
How Long Is Starbucks Training?
The length of Starbucks training varies from one store to another based on the manager’s preferences, but usually it lasts about two weeks.
However, before you start your training, you’ll be asked to stop by Starbucks for orientation, which can vary from one to four hours.
During the orientation, you will be given your name tag and green apron, plus all necessary forms including tax forms to fill out.
At the orientation, you’ll also be told about the dress code and will usually take part in a coffee tasting.
The exact duration and content of the Starbucks Orientation also varies, depending on the manager and the amount of time they can devote to it.
After orientation, your training will begin on your first scheduled day of work, which can last from two to four weeks.
In general, most new hires take at least one month before they feel comfortable making all the drinks on their own, and until they’re confident in their drink-crafting ability, they will be observed by another barista or supervisor.
Do You Get Paid During The Training Period?
The training process for baristas is scheduled and paid out like a regular work shift, meaning you get paid for all your training hours at your regular pay rate.
However, you have to remember to clock in and clock out in order to get paid for all your hours.
Additionally, you’ll earn tips based on the number of hours you work each week, even during the training period, as all tips at Starbucks are divided among the staff.
What Is The Training at Starbucks Like?
Starbucks barista training is a mixture of hands-on learning and book study with materials like training manuals, computer modules, and videos.
On the first day, you’ll be shadowing the Store Manager or Barista Trainer all day, and will learn about all the drinks on the menu, how the store operates, and your training materials.
You may also watch some videos that will introduce you to Starbucks’ history and culture, as well as the company’s social responsibility programs.
The training videos will tell you all about Starbucks coffee, where it’s grown, the roasting process, and the ethical sourcing practices Starbucks has to support farmers, communities, and the environment.
Other training materials include training booklets, computer modules, the Coffee and Tea Passports, and the Green Apron Book.
While the above is the formal plan for training new hires, sometimes the training schedule will be too limited to include everything at the outset, meaning baristas may learn certain things on the job.
If the store is too busy for full training, new hires will generally be trained on the cash register and drive-thru window first, and be trained on crafting drinks and other tasks at a later date.
What Is Covered In The Starbucks Training?
Starbucks training covers all the tasks that baristas will have to do on a daily basis in their new jobs, including the following:
- Making drinks and sequencing beverages
- Using the cash register
- Customer service
- Drive-thru
- Managing inventory
- Safety procedures
- Being punctual and consistent
- Putting the customer first
The training process also covers topics such as how to stay calm when things get busy or stressful, learning supervisory roles, and similar subjects.
What Are The Starbucks Training Materials?
Besides hands-on training, Starbucks uses training materials to help new baristas learn all about their jobs, such as booklets, computer modules, Coffee and Tea Passports, and the Green Apron Book.
These materials are all intended for self-guided study, and are useful to keep as future references when needing to recall certain information. These training materials are as follows:
1. Training Booklets
Training booklets are used for self-guided study and cover topics like bar training, coffee history, customer service, company history, and the Third-Place model.
2. Computer Modules
Computer Modules contain much of the same information from the training booklets, but cover the subjects in more detail and provide training exercises for further clarity.
Modules cover topics such as safety training, how to make customer connections, dealing with dangerous situations, and more.
Further, module training is updated every quarter, and staff members are expected to complete each training seminar.
3. Coffee and Tea Passports
Coffee and Tea Passports are little booklets that fit into apron pockets and have pages about each coffee and tea, with details about origin, aromas, and taste notes.
There’s also room for baristas to write their own notes with their impressions of each coffee and tea, and also to revisit in a few months’ time when their tastes have matured.
4. Green Apron Book
The Green Apron Book is also designed to fit in an apron pocket and helps baristas to match their customer service to their own goals.
It’s a short book that outlines the values and guiding principles followed by Starbucks, and most people find it a very inspiring read.
The Store Manager or Barista Trainer in charge of the new hires will check in frequently to see how the barista is progressing with the self-study materials.
Baristas who successfully complete their training earn an ASM or SM certification. Additionally, Starbucks employees continue to receive training to move up in their careers as Supervisors, Barista Trainers, and other higher-up positions.
To learn more about Starbucks, you can also see our posts on whether or not Starbucks hires at 14, Starbucks shift hours, and if Starbucks baristas make tips.
Conclusion
The training process at Starbucks consists of completing computer modules, learning how to create hand-crafted drinks, working the cash register and drive-thru window, among a number of other training methods.