AIBU: Only jobs for 'experienced' baristas, so where do you start?

[TeaQuiero]

Looking for flexible work. Huge city. No shortage of ads.

So, coffee. I'd like the flexibility, the ability to pick up additional shifts, the possibility for advancement, in some franchises, to owner/managerial/leadership, and they seem like fairly nice places to work.

But every ad wants "1 year minimum barista experience", some demand "highly experienced", some want 2 years.

This isn't just chains like Costa, Caffe Nero and Starbucks. This includes a newly opening high street independent (ok, fine they want to be 'upmarket'?) and a fairly run-down greasy spoon sort of place just off a grubby manufacturing estate (what the hell??) It includes an in-store coffee place in a supermarket.

I appreciate there are various issues around unemployment/over-employment/too many or too few applicants etc etc etc, but I see ad after ad and not one place would consider, some quite boldly saying so, someone new to the industry. How does anyone get started as a barista when even the simplest local sandwich shop insists on experience?

You could always try applying for the roles however it will depend on your previous hospitality experience etc. Or try 4 star plus hotel bar work they will train you on the barista side of things to a very high level as well as drinks - it should need to be a hotel or restaurant who take pride in the drinks offering they give.

Get some casual shifts working for a big hotel chain in their bars. Again pick up shifts as and when. Training via the Big Brands (hotels I worked in serve Costa or Starbucks), but employed by the hotel. And, tbh, hotels will hire pretty much anyone

Bear with the hideous shifts for a year. Then move.