Distance Learning Spotlight: Pastor Valero
While living in Venezuela, Pastor fell in love with coffee after taking a course and receiving an SCA certificate in 2013.
SCA certificate programs are designed to help you create a successful career in the coffee industry. As of June 1 2020, the SCA increased accessibility of the foundation courses allowing Authorized SCA Trainers (ASTs) around the globe to teach selected foundation courses in-person and in a virtual environment so that learners can continue growing and learning during these unprecedented times.
This week, PASTOR VALERO, a lead barista and production roaster in a café in Buenos Aires, Argentina, shares his experience of distance learning.
Over the years, Pastor has taken courses in Barista Skills, Brewing, and Green Coffee. “They have always been very satisfactory and I have learned a lot with each of them.” He continues, “I feel that with each course, I fall more in love with coffee and my work, I had the opportunity to have an excellent coach and that is why I continue to participate in SCA courses.”
Pastor participated in several online courses where learners lived in different countries around the world and were taught by an AST based in the USA. “The best thing about the online mode is that you have direct interaction with the coach, who answers all your questions as the class progresses. You can tell that the ASTs are very knowledgeable and up-to-date with all the protocols, standards, new trends, and studies about specialty coffee.”
“The most important thing at this time is to take care of ourselves, with distance learning as an option, we can continue to learn comfortably and safely from our homes.” Pastor hopes to become a green coffee buyer, roaster, and a licensed AST in the future - distance learning allows him to continue to build his coffee knowledge from home.
Are you interested in taking an SCA distance learning course?
Check out the SCA course calendar here, filtering your study method to “distance learning.”