Crop Technician (Viticulture) Apprenticeship
Level 3
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.
End Point Assessment
- Online multiple-choice test
- Practical demonstration
- Professional discussion
Apprenticeship Graded
- Fail, pass, merit, distinction
Course details
| Duration |
Typically 24 Months |
|---|
Entry Requirements
Maths and English assessment.
Job role suitability assessment.
To enrol onto an apprenticeship programme you need to be employed with a contract of employment. If you have an employer lined up or are already employed please contact our Apprenticeship Team on 01273 892127 or via email.
If you do not currently have an employer please visit the main Apprenticeships page for guidance on how to find and apply for an apprenticeship opportunity or register for our Talent Bank service.
Apprentices will benefit from international lecturers and guest speakers from across the UK wine industry as well as joining a cohort from vineyards across the country to share ideas a build a strong learning network.
Facilities
- Plumpton Wine Division is the UK’s centre of excellence for wine education, training and research.
- Since offering its first wine courses in 1988, the College has grown to include a 10-hectare vineyard and dedicated Wine Centre, offering the UK’s only viticulture focused apprenticeship programme, endorsed by WineGB.
