Now via November 30, Opo Espresso is accepting nominations for scholarships to the Opo Upside Scholar Program in 2025.

BY J. MARIE CARLAN
BARISTA MAGAZINE ONLINE

Photographs courtesy of Opo Espresso

Opo Espresso of Decatur, Ga., has introduced the launch of the Opo Upside Scholar Program. This new initiative’s purpose is to make schooling in specialty espresso extra accessible to espresso professionals and assist them profit from the information of the bigger espresso group.

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 might 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 subsequent 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 everywhere in the world. Deserving people might be supplied with skilled schooling via the Specialty Espresso Affiliation’s Espresso Abilities Program, with a deal with 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 gives a singular stage of coaching on the Opo Coaching Lab, from introductory programs to superior ability growth.

Different advantages of the scholar program embrace one-on-one teaching classes with trade professionals and specialised barista gear. All course charges, tools, and provides might be coated by Opo Espresso and Upside Scholar Program sponsors.

“The SCA Espresso Abilities programs will happen in individual on the Opo Coaching Lab in Decatur, Ga., to make sure hands-on studying and ability growth,“ Jonathan provides. “Nonetheless, the mentoring and training classes might be completed just about, providing flexibility for the students.“

How you can Nominate Somebody for a Scholarship

Nominations from the espresso group are being accepted via November 30, with awardees introduced in December. Students will start their programs in January.

You possibly can nominate anybody you want utilizing the easy on-line type 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 instances somebody might be nominated, nor the variety of completely different nominations a person can submit.“

The Subsequent Technology of Espresso Professionals

Opo Espresso is assured that they will help put together the subsequent technology of specialty-coffee specialists via the scholarship program. It’s simply a part of their mission to impact change for the higher.

“We consider 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 world affect via the specialty-coffee trade,“ Jonathan says.

For extra info or to appoint a scholar, go to opocoffee.com/scholarship.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

J. Marie Carlan (she/they) is the web 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, you will discover her perusing report shops, writing poetry, and making an attempt to maintain the vegetation alive in her Denver condominium.

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