Year 9 - Bentleigh East

The Apprentice Program

The aroma of freshly baked vanilla slices and rich, deliciously addictive chocolate brownies;

The sounds coffee beans being ground for yet another perfect latte; 

The rattling of dishes and pots; humming in the background, 

Sound systems and test runs,

“More coffee please….one latte and a long black …hold the sugar”

Anticipation and excitement.

And this is just the lead up!

 

So what is all the buzz about The Apprentice?

What better way to learn and engage with the world of small business than to plan, implement and run your own café along with other year 9 students (17 in total). 

During a six week block, we applied for various positions within the “business’, whether that being Chief Executive Officer, Marketing, Chief Financial Officer, Food Purchasing, Baristas or others. All of us completed Barista training and obtained our basic Food Hygiene and Safety modules. 

 

Planning for the business was quite an experience. Working as a team often tested many but also brought out the best in many of us. Learning to meet deadlines, agreeing on menu items, marketing strategies or even a music playlist were some of the challenges.

There is no doubt that what we initially though would be just ‘another” program was in fact hard work at times. For example, keeping up with the onslaught of customers during the last week was unbelievable. BUT it’s probably one of the few times we get to have a say in OUR learning and take to responsibility.

 

On behalf of the staff and management,

thank you to all who supported us.

 

Paul Riley

Year 9 Coordinator