About this role
This Work Placement Experience Programme provides participants with the opportunity to gain practical work experience and structured training in an award-winning artisan bakery, café and coffee trailer. Rusticboowa specialises in 100% natural, mostly organic food, traditional sourdough bread, artisan baking and promoting healthy nutrition. The placement is designed to provide participants with valuable practical skills, confidence and experience to support future employment within the hospitality, retail and food service sectors. Participants will receive comprehensive mentoring from experienced staff throughout the placement and will gain practical experience in customer service, barista skills, food preparation and presentation, food safety and the daily operation of a busy artisan café. Training includes preparing specialty coffees, teas and other beverages using professional coffee equipment, operating a POS system, processing customer orders and payments, serving customers professionally and creating a welcoming customer experience. Participants will be trained to assist with the preparation and presentation of breakfasts and light food items, following company procedures and food safety standards. They will also learn how to correctly display, package and present artisan breads, pastries and bakery products while maintaining excellent quality standards. The programme includes structured training in HACCP principles, food safety, allergen awareness, cross-contamination prevention, stock rotation, product storage, quality control and maintaining high standards of hygiene throughout the café, kitchen and customer areas. Participants will receive practical training in cleaning procedures, including maintaining workstations, coffee equipment, preparation areas, customer tables, dishwashing areas, floors, customer toilets and staff facilities in accordance with company hygiene procedures and Irish food safety regulations. Participants will also develop teamwork, communication, organisation and time management skills while learning opening and closing procedures and the day-to-day operation of an artisan food business. Training will include learning about traditional sourdough bread, natural and mostly organic ingredients, healthy nutrition and Rusticboowa's philosophy, enabling participants to confidently explain products and assist customers with product selection. As part of the placement, participants may occasionally assist with the operation of Rusticboowa's coffee trailer during local festivals, community events, catering functions and markets, gaining valuable experience in mobile food and beverage service while maintaining the same high standards of customer service, hygiene and food safety. No previous experience is required. Comprehensive mentoring, formal and informal training and continuous support will be provided throughout the six-month placement,participants to develop practical, transferable skills in the food/retail industry.. The participant will receive formal/informal training in the following This is a training and work experience opportunity; no previous experience is necessary. Accredited and sector-recognised training will be provided throughout the placement. Participants are eligible to complete the optional WPEP QQI Work Experience Module developed by the Education and Training Boards in collaboration with the Department of Social Protection. Formal training: HACCP Level 1 & Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene Manual Handling Health & Safety Awareness Slips, Trips and Falls Prevention Fire Safety Awareness Chemical Awareness Accident and Incident Reporting Allergen Awareness Customer Service Training Barista Skills Training Introduction to Irish Food Safety Regulations Informal training: Participants will receive practical, supervised training in: Professional barista skills, including coffee preparation, milk texturing and beverage presentation. Safe operation, cleaning and daily maintenance of professional coffee equipment. Customer service skills, communication and creating a welcoming customer experience. Operating the point of sale (POS) system and processing customer orders and payments. Assisting with the preparation and presentation of breakfasts and light food items, including granola bowls, sandwiches, soups and other menu items following company procedures. Displaying, packaging and presenting artisan bakery products to a high retail standard. Product knowledge, including traditional sourdough bread, long fermentation, natural ingredients and mostly organic products. Understanding the nutritional benefits of artisan food and confidently advising customers about Rusticboowa's products and philosophy. Food safety procedures, prevention of cross-contamination, allergen management and quality control. Cleaning and hygiene procedures for customer areas, kitchen, coffee equipment, preparation areas, dishwashing stations, tables, floors and customer toilets in accordance with Irish food safety requirements. Stock rotation, storage procedures and inventory organisation using FIFO principles. Opening and closing procedures for the café. Teamwork, communication, organisation and time management in a busy hospitality environment. Assisting with the operation of Rusticboowa's coffee trailer during local festivals, markets and community events while maintaining the same high standards of food safety and customer service. Developing confidence, professionalism and transferable skills for future employment in the hospitality, retail and food service sectors.