Seongdong-gu opens its first-ever Level 1 barista certification course in response to resident demand, with 60 spots available on a first-come, first-served basis starting Thursday.
Seongdong-gu in Seoul is expanding its barista training program in response to strong resident demand, launching a Level 1 certification course for the first time this year.
The district will begin accepting applications for 60 spots in its "2026 Third-Round Barista Training Program" on Thursday at 10 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. The program has proven so popular that enrollment has closed within five minutes of opening each round.
The program targets Seongdong-gu residents seeking employment or self-employment in coffee-related fields. Of the 60 available spots, 15 are reserved for the Level 1 course and 45 for the Level 2 course — one Level 1 class and three Level 2 classes in total. Classes run for eight weeks from Oct. 12 through Dec. 3.
In the first-round program held earlier this year, all 30 participants earned their certifications, and two went on to secure employment. Participant satisfaction surveys recorded a 98 percent satisfaction rate for achieving course objectives and 96 percent for instructor quality.
Building on those results and sustained demand, the district expanded the program's scale starting with the third round and introduced the Level 1 certification course for the first time this year. The Level 1 course is open to holders of a Level 2 barista certification and is designed to help participants develop more advanced, professional skills in the coffee industry.
In addition, the district plans to offer an on-site internship program in December for third-round graduates who wish to gain practical experience, partnering with local cafes in the area. The internship will give participants hands-on exposure to real cafe operations — including operating espresso machines, preparing beverages and handling customer service — helping them apply classroom skills and build the practical experience needed to enter the workforce or start their own business.
Classes will be held on the second floor of the Powerstand building at Under Stand Avenue, near Seoul Forest Station. Residents wishing to enroll can apply through the Seongdong-gu website under "Seongdong Participation — Events/Registration." The program is free of charge, though participants are responsible for the cost of materials. For further inquiries, contact the Working Citizens Team at the Seongdong-gu Employment Policy Division.
"We have added the Level 1 certification course in line with the steady interest and demand our residents have shown for the barista training program," Seongdong-gu District Mayor Yoo Bo-hwa said. "We will continue to support residents in building real skills for employment and entrepreneurship in the coffee sector — from earning their certification all the way through hands-on internship experience — so they can take on new challenges with confidence."
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