SCA Barista Skills Intermediate
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SCA Barista Skills Intermediate is designed for baristas who want to refine their skills and deepen their understanding of espresso preparation and café operations. This course builds on the fundamentals, focusing on espresso extraction, grind adjustments, milk texturing, workflow efficiency, and sensory evaluation.
Through hands-on practice and guided instruction, you’ll learn how to dial in espresso with precision, adjust recipes for balance, create consistent microfoam for latte art, and improve speed and efficiency in a café setting. The course also covers equipment maintenance, customer service, and troubleshooting common issues to enhance quality and consistency.
Duration: 2 Days (16 Hours)
What You'll Learn
Coffee Knowledge & Extraction Science
- Explore how origin, processing, and variety influence espresso flavor
- Understand roast development and degassing for better extraction control
- Learn how grind size and burr type affect espresso consistency
- Master dosing, distribution, and tamping for even extraction
- Use brew ratios to express and adjust espresso recipes
- Identify and troubleshoot under- and over-extraction through guided tasting and measurement
Milk Techniques & Latte Art
- Understand milk chemistry and how it affects texture and flavor
- Practice steaming for microfoam and ideal drink temperature
- Learn foundational free-pour techniques for basic latte art designs
- Construct a range of espresso-based beverages to SCA standards
Workflow, Efficiency & Bar Flow
- Improve speed and efficiency when managing multiple drink orders
- Optimize bar layout and movement for consistent, high-quality output
- Practice clean, organized, and repeatable barista routines
Cleaning, Maintenance & Quality Control
- Learn daily and scheduled cleaning for espresso machines and grinders
- Practice preventative maintenance to ensure equipment performance
Understand your role in maintaining beverage quality across shifts
Assessment & Certification
- Complete a practical skills exam covering espresso, milk, and workflow
- Pass the online written exam to receive SCA Intermediate certification
Who This Course is For
- Baristas with foundational training or 6+ months of café experience
- Staff ready to take on more responsibility behind the bar
- Café owners or leads looking to improve drink quality and consistency
- Coffee professionals preparing for supervisory or training roles
- Anyone aiming to deepen their technical knowledge of espresso and milk preparation
Course Prerequisites
Completion of SCA Barista Skills Foundation or equivalent experience (6 months of hands-on practice pulling espresso shots and steaming milk).
What's Included
- Facilitator Fee
- Facility & Equipment Usage
- Coffee Bean & Milk
- Printed Handouts & Resources
- Lunch and Snacks
- Course Certificate (upon successful completion)
- All SCA Fees
Get Globally Recognized Certification
Get your skills certified by the most globally-known coffee skills certification from the Specialty Coffee Association.
Make New Coffee Friends
Meet other amazing coffee professionals and enthusiasts.
Learn in Small Classes with World-Class Educators
Get personalized feedback from some of the best in the industry.
Meet Your Trainer
Trent Rollings is the founder of Timberline Coffee School, a certified SCA trainer, and a World Coffee Championships Representative and Judge. With over a decade of international experience in coffee education and competition, Trent brings deep industry insight and a passion for helping others grow.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people will be in the course?
Class sizes are kept small (6 students max.) to ensure a hands-on, high-touch learning experience. This allows for real-time feedback, personalized instruction, and plenty of time on equipment.
Do I get a certificate?
Yes. All students receive an official certificate from the Specialty Coffee Association, the most widely recognized coffee skills certificate.
What do I need to bring?
Just yourself, a notebook, and a willingness to learn. We’ll provide everything else, including equipment, tools, tasting supplies, and printed resources.
Where is the course held?
The course takes place at Timberline Coffee School in Calgary, Alberta. Directions and preparation details will be sent upon registration.
What if I have dietary restrictions?
We will send you a pre-course email before your course where we ask for any dietary restrictions you may have so that we can work to accommodate for them when ordering snacks and lunch.
