NZMA students put the cart before the course!

It goes without saying that coffee is big business in New Zealand, and now NZMA students will get an opportunity to experience running a Coffee Cart first-hand.  It’s the first of its kind in the education training arena, with students lining up to be on the front line.

They are certainly ready for the challenge, the cart is part of the course, and NZMA students will be making the coffee and tea, dishing up treats, manning the till, and being responsible for the whole business inside the cart.

Students were on-site at NZMA Manukau campus, and were thrilled with the response from queuing customers.

Studying Hospitality Level 3 at NZMA, Karlina Cowan was really keen to get involved.

“I’m super excited to be here,” she said, “This is a game changer, and it will be good for work experience and continuing to develop my skills within the workplace.”

Tammie Lee Stuck is also studying Hospitality Level 3 and really enjoyed the experience and practice the cart gave her.

“I love the team environment, and working together really gave me confidence with the practical side.  I can make great coffee under pressure – there were lots of people here!” she said.

Sheiveere Engineer, studying Retail Level 3 at NZMA, said “It’s super exciting.  We’re getting to the run the whole Coffee Cart, so not just making the drinks and food, but running the business side too.  Running the till, making sure the signage is right, writing up the menu with pricing… It’s like our own business!”

NZMA developed the Coffee Cart as a mobile business for students to gain practical experience.  It’s unique and the students are really proud to be on board, and part of the ride.  NZMA will use the Coffee Cart to visit its campuses around Auckland including Sylvia Park, Manukau, and Otahuhu.  There will also be opportunities to extend the business to more public events.

NZMA Head of Faculty William Levitt said “The Coffee Cart is an extension of the invaluable training that we provide our students so they are work ready.  Not only do we give them outstanding training, we have a dedicated Careers team that places our graduates with the right employers for them. We are focused on sustainable employment for our graduates, and this is why we have such success in placing our students with the right skills in the right careers when they finish their programmes.”