Students will develop foundational baking and counter service skills through regular café service sessions. They will prepare and serve a range of hot and cold non-alcoholic beverages, including espresso coffee and tea, while gaining hands-on experience in a customer service environment.
Students will also build confidence working as part of a team and develop the communication skills essential for a career in hospitality. This course provides valuable insight into the skills and knowledge required in café and baking environments and can help students explore potential future study and career pathways.
What you will learn
A student successfully completing this strand will be able to:
- Work in a team to prepare for and provide basic counter service.
- Maintain personal presentation and use communications skills appropriate to the hospitality industry.
- Prepare and present for service hot and cold non-alcoholic beverages, including espresso coffee, tea, and cold beverages.
- Prepare and present for service basic café style dishes using appropriate knife skills.
- Prepare and present basic bakery items including cakes and sponges.
- Develop and practise basic food safety and kitchen safety practices while preparing food.
More detail about this qualification
- Start date: Thursday 11 February, 2027
- Weekly commitment
- Te Awakairangi (Petone) Campus: 9am-2:30pm (inc. 30min lunch), Thursday/Friday
- Equipment needed: Students must wear closed-in shoes.
- Travel: This is provided free, subject to students meeting MoE requirements.
- Application: Students must be enrolled in a secondary school in the Wellington region and be enrolled in a WTA course by their secondary school.
- Interview: Students may be requested to attend an interview with a family member or school representative.
- Qualification: NCEA Level 2 with credit towards Vocational Pathway award.
- Credits: On successful completion of this course, students will have gained 40 credits – 36 Level 2 and 4 Level 3 credits.
- Assessment: Assessment is competency-based against unit standard outcomes and related evidence requirements. Assessments will follow the processes required by NZQA and relevant industry requirements.
Assessment criteria
Further study pathways
- New Zealand Certificate in Baking (Generalist) (Level 4)
- New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 4)
Further employment pathways
- Entry level cafe service.
- Entry level kitchen work - kitchen hand, basic prep.
Last updated: 8/9/2026
