Trader Cafe - Specialty Coffee in Birmingham

We are an independent Coffee Shop, Coffee Roasters in Birmingham. We roast the coffee on premise. We like coffee. And we sell coffee. We want to share with you what we believe to be good, quality and price. If you like our coffee, we are exciting and encouraged. If you don't hate it, at least find us different (we should be), we are already very happy. ; )

SCA Barista Skills Foundation - - - 09-MAY-2026, 23-MAY-2026

SCA Barista Skills Foundation

SCA Accredited Coffee Training

Certificate Option

New to coffee? Want to work as a Barista. This one day class will deliver essential knowledge of what makes a good barista. We will cover core skills required to deliver barista menu. 


WHAT WE WILL COVER 

Barista coffee knowledge: coffee jorney, coffee in closer look, Arabicas VS Robusta, coffee species and varities, how to store and preserve coffee, workspace management

Grind, dose, extract and brew a good cup of espresso: following a set of steps of industry standard 

Milk technique: how to steam different milk textures, which is the base of espresso based drinks 

Barista menu: learn barista menu and how to make them Workspace management: hygiene, health, safety, machine cleaning and basic maintenance 


PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE : No prerequisite required


*** READ CAREFULLY ***

*Our course fee does not include SCA’s course enrolment fee €50. SCA introduced new accreditation enrolment in Feb 2023. Course fee and SCA’s enrolment fee will be paid separately.
*If you want to get a SCA certificate. First you have to register our course and pay course fee here, and provide your learner ID (register here) . You will then receive an email from SCA to pay the course enrolment fee. You have to pay the enrolment fee directly to SCA before the course date. Otherwise you can still attend the course without accreditation, but you cannot attend the exam and will not get a SCA certificate.
*Course fee is not refundable once booked, schedule and resource is occupied. If you foresee any change in advance we will try our best to reschedule to next available class, subject to availability and admin fee.

SCA Introduction to Coffee - - - 06-JUN-2026

Course Options

Introduction of Coffee (0.5 Day)


Introduction to Coffee is an ideal module for anyone who is new to the coffee industry or just has an interest in this wonderful drink. This half day class deliver essential knowledge of coffee. 


WHAT WE WILL COVER : Coffee Journey from its origin in Ethiopia to the major commodity it is today. From farming the cherries through drying, roasting, brewing and finally drinking, this module looks at the processes coffee goes through. Coffee cupping to taste the various flavors coffee has to offer.


PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE : No prerequisite required


*** READ CAREFULLY ***

*Our course fee does not include SCA’s course enrolment fee €50. SCA introduced new accreditation enrolment in Feb 2023. Course fee and SCA’s enrolment fee will be paid separately.
*If you want to get a SCA certificate. First you have to register our course and pay course fee here, and provide your learner ID (register here) . You will then receive an email from SCA to pay the course enrolment fee. You have to pay the enrolment fee directly to SCA before the course date. Otherwise you can still attend the course without accreditation, but you cannot attend the exam and will not get a SCA certificate.
*Course fee is not refundable once booked, schedule and resource is occupied. If you foresee any change in advance we will try our best to reschedule to next available class, subject to availability and admin fee.

SCA Brewing Foundation - - - 16-MAY-2026

Barista Training in Birmingham

Certificate Option

SCA Brewing Foundation


COURSE HOURS : Recommended course hours: 6 hours excluding exams Written exam 30 minutes Practical exam 30 minutes ***

WHAT WE WILL COVER : Coffee Origin and Processes Brewing Guideline for extraction, ratio, time, turbulence, temperature Introduce core brewing skills and equipment How to grind and brew to the correct recipe

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE : Introduction to Coffee is a recommended (but not mandatory) pre-requisite module.


*** READ CAREFULLY ***

*Our course fee does not include SCA’s course enrolment fee €50. SCA introduced new accreditation enrolment in Feb 2023. Course fee and SCA’s enrolment fee will be paid separately.
*If you want to get a SCA certificate. First you have to register our course and pay course fee here, and provide your learner ID (register here) . You will then receive an email from SCA to pay the course enrolment fee. You have to pay the enrolment fee directly to SCA before the course date. Otherwise you can still attend the course without accreditation, but you cannot attend the exam and will not get a SCA certificate.
*Course fee is not refundable once booked, schedule and resource is occupied. If you foresee any change in advance we will try our best to reschedule to next available class, subject to availability and admin fee.

SCA Brewing Intermediate - - - 29-30 MAY 2026 - - -

Certificate Option
Brewing Intermediate (2 Day)

Build up coffee skills through practical and theoretical training. To develop competency to make a great espresso-based coffee to next level professionally. 

WHAT WE WILL COVER : Designed to introduce the concept of scientifically measuring coffee extraction and to explore the elements of coffee brewing Brewing intermediate helps the coffee professional manipulate brew techniques to improve coffee quality. All coffee brewed during this course will be measured and charted by the AST for Strength and Extraction. Allow for discussion and questions. 

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE : Brewing Foundation 


*** READ CAREFULLY ***

*Our course fee does not include SCA’s course enrolment fee €50. SCA introduced new accreditation enrolment in Feb 2023. Course fee and SCA’s enrolment fee will be paid separately.
*If you want to get a SCA certificate. First you have to register our course and pay course fee here, and provide your learner ID (register here) . You will then receive an email from SCA to pay the course enrolment fee. You have to pay the enrolment fee directly to SCA before the course date. Otherwise you can still attend the course without accreditation, but you cannot attend the exam and will not get a SCA certificate.
*Course fee is not refundable once booked, schedule and resource is occupied. If you foresee any change in advance we will try our best to reschedule to next available class, subject to availability and admin fee.

Learning Together: From Barista Foundation to Confident Skills

We’ve just finished another round of SCA Barista Skills training, across different levels — and what stood out most wasn’t just the coffee, but the people behind it.

Many of the students who joined our recent Barista Skills courses have been learning with us since Barista Skills Foundation. Watching that journey unfold — step by step — is one of the most rewarding parts of being an Authorised SCA Trainer.

Some students have been working in coffee shops for years. A few are even café managers now. Yet one common story we hear again and again is:

“I make coffee every day, but I’ve never really been confident with latte art.”

One student, for example, has worked in a coffee shop for over three years and was promoted to manager. Despite the experience and responsibility, latte art always felt like a barrier — something that never quite clicked. She started with us at Barista Skills Foundation, and over time, with structured practice and understanding the basics properly, her milk texture, control, and confidence improved noticeably.

The photos we’re sharing show that progress — from early attempts to much more consistent results, both from this recent class and from previous ones.

Our classes often bring together people from very different backgrounds:

  • Baristas
  • Roasters
  • Café managers
  • Coffee shop owners
  • Professionals working in food and beverage businesses

Some café owners have never worked professionally as baristas before. Others know coffee well but have never had formal training. Learning together in the same room creates a strong dynamic — students learn not only from the trainer, but also from each other’s experiences.

Barista Skills Foundation isn’t about perfection or fancy patterns. It’s about understanding espresso, milk, workflow, and the fundamentals that allow skills like latte art to actually develop — instead of feeling like guesswork.

If you see yourself in any of these stories — whether you’re new to coffee, already working behind the bar, managing a team, or running a café — you’re very welcome here.

Next Barista Skills Foundation course: 09 MAY 2026

SCA Coffee Skills Program | Delivered by AST

We’re glad to be part of your coffee journey — and we look forward to meeting the next group of students soon.

Contact us for more information. 

#BaristaTraining #BaristaCourse #CoffeeTraining #BaristaSkills #SCAcertified #CoffeeEducation #LatteArt #EspressoTraining #SpecialtyCoffee

From Learning to Brewing: Our SCA Brewing Foundation in Action


Many of the students who joined our recent Barista Skills courses have been learning with us since Barista Skills Foundation. Watching that journey unfold — step by step — is one of the most rewarding parts of being an Authorised SCA Trainer.

Some students have been working in coffee shops for years. A few are even café managers now. Yet one common story we hear again and again is:

“I make coffee every day, but I’ve never really been confident with latte art.”

One student, for example, has worked in a coffee shop for over three years and was promoted to manager. Despite the experience and responsibility, latte art always felt like a barrier — something that never quite clicked. She started with us at Barista Skills Foundation, and over time, with structured practice and understanding the basics properly, her milk texture, control, and confidence improved noticeably.

The photos we’re sharing show that progress — from early attempts to much more consistent results, both from this recent class and from previous ones.

Our classes often bring together people from very different backgrounds: Baristas, Roasters, Café managers, Coffee shop owners, and Professionals working in food and beverage businesses

Some café owners have never worked professionally as baristas before. Others know coffee well but have never had formal training. Learning together in the same room creates a strong dynamic — students learn not only from the trainer, but also from each other’s experiences.

Barista Skills Foundation isn’t about perfection or fancy patterns. It’s about understanding espresso, milk, workflow, and the fundamentals that allow skills like latte art to actually develop — instead of feeling like guesswork.

If you see yourself in any of these stories — whether you’re new to coffee, already working behind the bar, managing a team, or running a café — you’re very welcome here.

Next Barista Skills Foundation course: 09 MAY 2025

SCA Coffee Skills Program | Delivered by AST

We’re glad to be part of your coffee journey — and we look forward to meeting the next group of students soon.

Contact us for more information. 

#BaristaTraining #BaristaCourse #CoffeeTraining #BaristaSkills #SCAcertified #CoffeeEducation #LatteArt #EspressoTraining #SpecialtyCoffee

SCA's Coffee Skills Program

SCA's Coffee Skills Program

If you’re working in coffee — or aiming to build a long-term career in the coffee industry — having a solid, recognised foundation matters.

The SCA Coffee Skills Program (CSP) is one of the most established and globally recognised education frameworks in specialty coffee. It’s widely respected across cafés, roasteries, and coffee businesses as a way to build structured knowledge and practical skills — without shortcuts or inflated promises.

As an Authorised SCA Trainer (AST), we deliver official SCA training and certification in the areas we specialise in:

Introduction to Coffee

This is the most important starting point.
It covers the fundamentals of coffee — from seed to cup — and helps you understand what coffee iswhy it tastes the way it does, and how the industry works.
Whether you’re new to coffee or already working behind the bar, this course builds the essential knowledge every coffee professional should have.

Barista Skills

Designed for those working in cafés or preparing coffee professionally.
We offer:

  • Foundation
  • Intermediate
  • Professional

These levels focus on workflow, espresso preparation, milk techniques, consistency, quality control, and professional standards — skills that matter in real café environments.

Brewing

For professionals who want a deeper understanding of extraction, recipes, and manual brewing methods.
Available at:

  • Foundation
  • Intermediate
  • Professional

This stream strengthens your technical understanding of coffee and helps you brew with intention, clarity, and repeatability.

About SCA Diplomas

SCA Diplomas (such as the Café Skills Diploma) are built by combining multiple certificates across different programs. They represent broad, long-term professional development.

While we do not deliver all certificate streams required for every diploma, the courses we offer — especially Introduction to Coffee, Barista Skills, and Brewing — form key building blocks within the SCA education pathway.

SCA certification doesn’t guarantee a job.
What it does offer is:

  • A shared professional language
  • Structured learning recognised worldwide
  • A strong signal of commitment to the craft and industry

If you’re serious about developing yourself in coffee — whether to improve your skills, grow professionally, or increase employability — SCA training is a solid, credible place to start.

Contact us for more information. 


#SCACoffee #CoffeeSkillsProgram #CoffeeCertification #BaristaTraining #CoffeeEducation #CoffeeCareers #SpecialtyCoffee #CoffeeIndustry #ASTTrainer

SCA Barista Skills Intermediate - - 1-2 MAY 2026 - -

Barista Training in Birmingham

Certificate Option

Barista Intermediate (2 Days)


Build up coffee skills through practical and theoretical training. To develop competency to make a great espresso-based coffee to next level professionally.


WHAT WE WILL COVER : Look more deeply into coffee beans, blends to single origins, Bourbons to Caturras Look at workspace and work flow for an optimum layout Refine your espresso skills and dial in a specific recipe Deliver sets of drinks to specification Test your knowledge and skill with a series of written and practical assessments.


PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE : This course is aimed at baristas with some experience looking to refine their skillset.



*** READ CAREFULLY ***

*Our course fee does not include SCA’s course enrolment fee €50. SCA introduced new accreditation enrolment in Feb 2023. Course fee and SCA’s enrolment fee will be paid separately.
*If you want to get a SCA certificate. First you have to register our course and pay course fee here, and provide your learner ID (register here) . You will then receive an email from SCA to pay the course enrolment fee. You have to pay the enrolment fee directly to SCA before the course date. Otherwise you can still attend the course without accreditation, but you cannot attend the exam and will not get a SCA certificate.
*Course fee is not refundable once booked, schedule and resource is occupied. If you foresee any change in advance we will try our best to reschedule to next available class, subject to availability and admin fee.


Sage The Dose Control Pro Grinder Electric - £149.99 (LIMITED TIME OFFER)

Sage The Dose Control Pro Grinder Electric

£229.00  NOW ONLY £149.99
(in-store only)

SAGE the Smart Grinder Pro Coffee Grinder - Silver (BRAND NEW) LIMITED TIME OFFER

Excellent quality grinder for home espresso machine, which don't break your bank. BEST PRICE IN MARKET. You can't find lower price any where else. Only in-store !

New Course Fee Schedule

*** SCA has announced new fee schedule due to launch in Feb 2023. Course fee with SCA accreditation will be paid separately and updated shortly ***