Coffee is a beverage consumed by most people around the world. It also represents social connection, especially in the workplace. Over a cup of coffee, we can change the world and exchange ideas.
"We found it very interesting," explains Laurence Mainaud. "We train people in precarious situations to become baristas. We employ them to work in our coffee spaces within companies and support them towards stable employment in the restaurant and hospitality sectors."
The barista profession is gaining popularity, with many coffee shops opening in Paris and other major cities in recent years. It is easily accessible, requiring no high-level diploma. It teaches discipline and the technical skills needed for the job. One must know how to use specialized equipment, including professional espresso machines. There are skills to learn regarding grinder settings, coffee extraction, steaming milk properly, and mastering the art of Latte Art.
But the most important aspect is customer service. "Our baristas learn to welcome customers warmly, to remember familiar faces and their orders, because it's always nice when you arrive and the barista already knows what you're going to order in the morning," emphasizes Laurence Mainaud.
Interns start with an intensive week and then join the coffee spaces in companies, paired with experienced barista mentors who have several years of experience. They learn on-site, gradually taking on more responsibilities to prepare for securing a permanent contract.
In France, Change Please has trained 57 individuals, including 21 last year. In England, where the project started, over 200 baristas are trained each year. They have opened 11 coffee shops and vans accessible to the public.
"In France, we have developed a model for coffee corners in companies. For companies large enough to have a cafeteria space, we offer a turnkey service where we manage the coffee corner," explains Laurence Mainaud. Thus, companies pay for a service to subsidize coffee for their employees, either through beverages with a sponsored menu in their premises.
Change Please also offers the sale of coffee beans. Therefore, companies of all sizes can support them, with 100% of the profits from coffee sales funding the reintegration program. It is now also possible for individuals to participate.
At the end of the program, 70% of participants secure permanent contracts, often in the collective catering sector. Some develop a passion for coffee and wish to work in coffee shops. Others now hold managerial positions and train baristas at their new employers.
"According to the Stanford Innovation Review, one of the keys to escaping precariousness is not so much housing or even a job itself. Although that is what we have chosen to focus on. But it is really about social connection, and being a barista allows individuals to be valued in society, in addition to securing employment," concludes Laurence Mainaud.
