Barista Training in the Philippines: TESDA Barista NC II and SCA Courses Compared
There are three main ways to train as a barista in the Philippines: the government’s TESDA Barista NC II, an internationally recognised Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) course, or learning on the job in a café. They suit different goals and budgets. This guide explains what each one involves, so you can choose.
Course details below come from TESDA’s training regulations and the SCA’s own program pages. Check fees and schedules directly with the training provider before you enrol, because they vary.
Quick comparison
| TESDA Barista NC II | SCA Coffee Skills Program | |
|---|---|---|
| What you get | A National Certificate (NC II) signed by the TESDA Director General | An SCA certificate for each module and level you pass |
| Length | 178 hours in TESDA’s training regulations (18 basic, 18 common, 142 core). The TESDA Women’s Center runs it as 202 hours over 26 days | Barista Skills: 7 hours (Foundation), 14 hours (Intermediate), 21 hours (Professional) |
| Focus | Job-ready café skills: espresso, milk, drinks, machine care and cashiering | Specialty coffee skills, recognised by specialty cafés worldwide |
| Entry | Completed 10-year basic education, and good oral and written communication | Start with Introduction to Coffee, then choose modules |
| Who teaches | TESDA-registered training centres; assessed at accredited assessment centres | Authorized SCA Trainers (ASTs), who set their own prices |
| Best for | First barista jobs and local employers who ask for NC II | Specialty cafés, career growth and working abroad |
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Shop the Blend →TESDA Barista NC II
Barista NC II is the Philippine government’s national qualification for baristas, set out in TESDA’s training regulations. Its core competencies are:
- Prepare espresso
- Texture milk
- Prepare and serve coffee beverages
- Perform basic maintenance of machines and equipment
- Perform basic cashiering and general control procedures
To be awarded the certificate, you pass a competency assessment. The regulations say core units are assessed in a workplace, a simulated workplace, or a TESDA-accredited assessment centre. Experienced baristas who did not take a formal course can also apply for assessment. Successful candidates receive a National Certificate signed by the TESDA Director General.
Courses are offered by TESDA-registered schools and training centres. Ask the training centre or your nearest TESDA office whether scholarships are available.
SCA Coffee Skills Program
The Specialty Coffee Association’s Coffee Skills Program starts with Introduction to Coffee (4 to 6 hours). After that you choose modules: Barista Skills, Brewing, Green Coffee, Roasting and Sensory Skills. Each module has three levels: Foundation (7 hours), Intermediate (14 hours) and Professional (21 hours).
You pass practical and written exams to earn each certificate, and certificates count toward SCA Skills Diplomas. All SCA courses are taught by Authorized SCA Trainers, and each trainer sets their own fees. You can find an Authorized SCA Trainer through the SCA’s website. For a barista, Barista Skills Foundation is the natural starting point.
Learning on the job
Many baristas start as café crew and learn from senior staff. It costs nothing and you earn while you learn, but what you learn depends on the café. If you go this way, ask for a structured plan: espresso dial-in, milk steaming, the drink menu, cleaning and opening and closing duties. Later, the NC II assessment is open to experienced workers as well as course graduates.
What to learn first
Whichever route you take, these are the skills employers look for. Each one has a free lesson in our Coffee Academy:
- Dialing in espresso
- Steaming milk
- Knowing the drink menu
- Fixing sour, bitter or slow shots
- Cleaning the espresso machine
- Opening and closing the bar
- Working fast during a rush
After training: jobs and pay
For what baristas earn in the Philippines, see our guide to barista salaries. Café owners training new staff can use our guide to staff training on portion control and waste, and the Café Business Resource Center.
More lessons are in the Caffeine Brothers Coffee Academy.
