The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) today unveiled its revamped diploma system, featuring four separate diplomas associated with different skills and job-readiness: Café; Roastery; Coffee Trade; and Sustainable Coffee.
With the new diploma program, called SCA Skills Diplomas, the nonprofit trade organization is phasing out its long-running Coffee Skills Diploma (a.k.a., the “100-point diploma”).
The group is also introducing digital diploma badges, which will be shareable and embeddable icons that diploma-holders can use to promote their accomplishments.
“Our aim with the introduction of the SCA Skills Diplomas is to offer a recognition that clearly connects to specific jobs on the market,” SCA Education Officer Dorit Lessard said in an announcement of the rollout today. “Each diploma’s prescribed set of courses were specifically chosen so holders of the diplomas are ready for success in several predominate roles in the consumer sector of the specialty coffee industry. If you are new to coffee, or want to grow your career in coffee, pursuing one or more of the SCA Skills Diplomas is a great next step.”
Each of the diplomas involves foundational and advanced coursework from the SCA’s three core coffee certificate programs: Coffee Skills; Coffee Sustainability; and Coffee Technicians.
The SCA provided the following brief description of each of the four new diplomas:
SCA Café Diploma
This collection of courses is designed to prepare the learner for leadership in creating, preparing, and promoting specialty coffee experiences, while communicating with customers and colleagues about the retailer’s role in promoting a more sustainable coffee industry.
SCA Roastery Diploma
This collection of courses is designed to prepare the learner for leadership in the development, production and quality assurance of roasted coffee; while communicating with customers and colleagues about the roaster’s role in promoting a more sustainable coffee industry.
SCA Coffee Trade Diploma
This collection of courses is designed to prepare the learner for leadership in the handling, evaluation, and trade of green coffee; while communicating with customers and colleagues about their role in promoting a more sustainable coffee industry.
SCA Sustainable Coffee Diploma
This collection of courses is designed to prepare the learner for leadership in the development and implementation of best practices and special projects that promote a more sustainable coffee industry, while having a broad understanding of the skills applied in different sectors of the supply chain.
More information on the new diploma program, including required courses for each badge, can be found here.
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