Crop Technician (Viticulture) Apprenticeship

Viticulture or wine growing is the cultivation and harvesting of grapes.

Duties of the viticulturist include monitoring and controlling pests and diseases, fertilising, irrigation, canopy management, monitoring fruit development and characteristics, harvest decisions, and vine pruning during the winter months.

Viticulturists are often intimately involved with winemakers, because vineyard management and the resulting grape characteristics provide the basis from which winemaking can begin.

The role requires self-motivation and the ability to work both independently and as a team player to complete tasks safely and efficiently. A lot of time is spent outdoors in all weathers, so resilience and drive are imperative to be successful.

The course will also incorporate a range of competency certificates, such as first aid and pesticide application.

WHAT APPRENTICES WILL LEARN
Pest & disease management
Yield forecasting & management
Pruning & trellising
Canopy management
Vineyard floor management
Vineyard establishment
Harvest planning and management
Vineyard nutrition
Health & safety and standard operating procedures
Vineyard machinery & equipment
QUALIFICATIONS AWARDED
Apprenticeship Certificate
Level 3 award in emergency first aid at work
Level 2 in Maths and English (if applicable)
PA1 Safe use of pesticides (pre requisite of PA3)
PA3 Air assisted sprayer
DELIVERY MODEL
10 weekly blocks of teaching split between the main campus and the college’s Rock Lodge Vineyard.