Costa Coffee has launched Virtual Reality to train new staff ahead of the busy Christmas period. The content has been designed to enhance the onboarding process, inspire new baristas and ensure education is consistent, all ensuring quality hand crafted coffee is served to customers across the UK.
Over 1,500 Costa Coffee stores are being issued with Google Cardboard headsets and tools for teams to access 360 degree footage. Embedded into the existing comprehensive programme, the VR element currently includes tips on how to perfect an Americano as well as the much-loved Christmas drink – Black Forest Hot Chocolate.
Costa Coffee plans to add more videos to further educate staff, including the journey from bean to cup with footage from sustainable coffee farmers in Peru. Additional content will feature a tour of the Costa Coffee Roastery in Basildon, so new recruits can understand more about quality testing by Master of Coffee Gennaro Pelliccia and his team in the lab.
Laura Chapman, Head of Learning at Costa Coffee said: “At Costa Coffee we’re always looking for ways to ensure we inspire our teams to love their craft just as much as they love coffee! With the launch of Virtual Reality we’ll be rapidly educating our new baristas and immersing them in the Costa store environment.
'We believe this advanced approach to learning will particularly appeal to those in the millennial generation who are highly open to this type of engaging training. We’re looking forward to continuing to innovate the resources in our VR portfolio for new staff and those looking to diversify their skills and careers at Costa Coffee.”
