Get a Quote

Want to become a fully trained professional barman?

WANT TO BECOME A FULLY TRAINED PROFESSIONAL BARMAN

Table of Contents

Want to Become a Fully Trained Professional Barman?

Your career skills speak volumes to your employers, and being a great bartender in the service industry is no different. You need the right tools for the job. Businesses also require skilled bartenders to run excellent service. If you manage a business, it’s your responsibility to ensure your bartenders have the confidence and ability to exceed customer expectations.

So how do you or your employees get the skills needed? This CATHSSETA course may be exactly what you’re looking for.

What is CATHSSETA?

CATHSSETA stands for Culture, Art, Hospitality, Sport Sector Education and Training Authority. It is one of 21 SETAs under the Skills Development Act and is responsible for facilitating skills development within its sector – from learning program grants to monitoring training courses.

CATHSSETA operates in sectors such as:

  • Arts, Culture and Heritage
  • Conservation
  • Gaming and Lotteries
  • Hospitality
  • Sport, Recreation and Fitness
  • Travel and Tourism

Its duties include:

  • Development and implementation of sector skills plans
  • Support and administration of learning programmes
  • Ensuring programmes follow the National Qualifications Framework (NQF)
  • Maintaining quality of learning programmes

CATHSSETA plays a vital role in South Africa’s economic growth by facilitating skills development for individuals and teams.

CATHSSETA Skills Programs

In South Africa, you can obtain various qualifications based on NQF credits. A CATHSSETA skills program provides credits toward a full qualification. By completing multiple programs, learners accumulate enough credits to achieve a full qualification. Thirst Bar Services offers a CATHSSETA-accredited skills program designed to fully qualify bartenders.

Become a Bartender: Thirst Academy Skills Program

Thirst Academy offers a comprehensive bar attendant skills program accredited by CATHSSETA. Applicants must meet entry requirements, such as minimum NQF Level 3 in Mathematics and Communication. Individual learners must provide proof of school certificates or reports.

The program is ideal for bar attendants, front-of-house staff in restaurants, coffee shops, cafes, and structured events like weddings or gala events. It covers:

Bartender-Specific Skills

  • Basic bar setup
  • Essentials of beverage service in licensed establishments
  • Maintenance of kegs, cellars, and beverage rooms
  • Role of a bartender
  • Tools of the trade and glassware
  • Pouring techniques
  • Customer service and responsible alcohol service
  • Effective time management behind the bar
  • Introduction to cocktail making techniques and classic cocktails

General Workplace Skills

  • Layout, services, and facilities in hospitality industries
  • Maintaining health, hygiene, and professional appearance
  • Developing confidence in specific job roles
  • Communication etiquette including telephone skills
  • Maintaining effective work and customer relationships
  • Customer service excellence
  • Operating POS and processing guest accounts
  • Maintaining a secure work environment

Upon completion, students gain 3-6 months of industry experience and are awarded a SAQA qualification: National Certificate in Food and Beverage Services NQF Level 4. Thirst Bar Services assists students in finding placements with stakeholders.

Why Choose Thirst?

Thirst Academy has a passion for bar services, offering extensive training and consultation. Based in Johannesburg with facilities in Cape Town and Durban, Thirst has trained over 58,000 bartenders across South Africa and Africa since 2005. Our experienced, multilingual trainers deliver short courses and in-depth programs designed for both beginners and advanced professionals.

If you or your business are interested in our CATHSSETA-accredited course, or any of our other courses, contact us today.