Now by means of November 30, Opo Espresso is accepting nominations for scholarships to the Opo Upside Scholar Program in 2025.
BY J. MARIE CARLAN
BARISTA MAGAZINE ONLINE
Images courtesy of Opo Espresso
Opo Espresso of Decatur, Ga., has introduced the launch of the Opo Upside Scholar Program. This new initiative’s intention is to make training in specialty espresso extra accessible to espresso professionals and assist them profit from the data of the bigger espresso neighborhood.
Opo Is Opening Doorways
“The Opo Upside Scholar Program is meant for people who’ve a ardour for espresso and a need to develop within the specialty espresso trade however might lack the means or alternatives to pursue formal coaching,“ says Opo CEO Jonathan Pascual. “Students may be at any stage of their espresso journey—whether or not they’re working as baristas, managing a espresso store, and even contemplating launching a coffee-related enterprise. We’re excited to assist them take the following step of their careers.“
The Opo Upside Scholar Program is a part of Opo Espresso’s mission to make use of specialty espresso to make a optimistic affect in folks’s lives all around the world. Deserving people will probably be supplied with skilled training by means of the Specialty Espresso Affiliation’s Espresso Abilities Program, with a concentrate on the Brewing and Barista Abilities curriculum.
The Three Values
The Opo Upside Scholar Program is split into three tiers, which correspond to Opo Espresso’s core values: respect, positivity, and honor. Every tier offers a singular stage of coaching on the Opo Coaching Lab, from introductory programs to superior talent improvement.
Different advantages of the scholar program embrace one-on-one teaching periods with trade professionals and specialised barista gear. All course charges, tools, and provides will probably be coated by Opo Espresso and Upside Scholar Program sponsors.
“The SCA Espresso Abilities programs will happen in particular person on the Opo Coaching Lab in Decatur, Ga., to make sure hands-on studying and talent improvement,“ Jonathan provides. “Nevertheless, the mentoring and training periods may be carried out just about, providing flexibility for the students.“
Learn how to Nominate Somebody for a Scholarship
Nominations from the espresso neighborhood are being accepted by means of November 30, with awardees introduced in December. Students will start their programs in January.
You’ll be able to nominate anybody you want utilizing the easy on-line kind on Opo’s web site.
“We encourage nominations from colleagues, mentors, managers, or anybody who has seen the nominee’s dedication to espresso,“ Jonathan says. “There isn’t a restrict to the variety of occasions somebody may be nominated, nor the variety of totally different nominations a person can submit.“
The Subsequent Era of Espresso Execs
Opo Espresso is assured that they may also help put together the following era of specialty-coffee specialists by means of the scholarship program. It’s simply a part of their mission to impact change for the higher.
“We imagine that the Upside Scholar Program and our stewardship of the SCA Espresso Abilities Program assist fulfill that mission within the lives of every scholar and their respective communities and is a part of our small position in making a optimistic international affect by means of the specialty-coffee trade,“ Jonathan says.
For extra data or to appoint a scholar, go to opocoffee.com/scholarship.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
J. Marie Carlan (she/they) is the net editor for Barista Journal. She’s been a barista for 16 years and writing since she was sufficiently old to carry a pencil. When she’s not behind the espresso bar or toiling over content material, yow will discover her perusing file shops, writing poetry, and making an attempt to maintain the crops alive in her Denver condo.
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