To make an informed choice about the suitability of this course, please consider the essential skills and knowledge below. You must: 

• Have a genuine interest and active involvement in grape growing and winemaking.
• Enjoy practical / manual work with good fitness levels.
• Like working outdoors in rural environments, with the ability to handle diverse weather (heat, rain, cold, wind) and natural elements (insects, spiders, etc.).
• Be a proactive learner with a collaborative and positive approach to teamwork.
• Be able to cope with seasonal work, requiring long hours and weekend work during the grape harvest period (approximately 8-12 weeks during late summer/autumn).
• Demonstrate the ability to follow Work Health and Safety procedures and respond to immediate safety risks.
• Show tolerance, patience, and the willingness to work with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

This course provides foundational skills and knowledge across the grape and wine production cycle, including:

Vineyard Operations: irrigation, nutrition, soil management, pruning and vine health.
Winemaking & Cellar Operations: basic wine production, laboratory testing and using winery equipment.

Time Commitment: You will need to allocate appropriate time to complete this course. This includes attending classes on-site and/or online as outlined in the study mode; and undertake independent study outside of class hours, including private study, assessment preparation, research, and complete assessment requirements. 

Below are some of the important personal skills you will be required to develop and demonstrate during training. These skills are highly valued by industry:

• Respectful Communication: Engage effectively with people from diverse backgrounds, communicate ideas clearly, and foster trust and strong relationships.
• Teamwork: Work collaboratively, treat others with respect, and remain open to constructive feedback.
• Problem Solving: Proactively find solutions, engage with challenges, ask questions, and respond appropriately within your scope of practice.
• Initiative: Stay motivated, take initiative, and seek help when needed.
• Planning - Manage time well. Prioritise and complete tasks efficiently and effectively.
• Self-Management - Reflect on your performance. Acknowledge your success and take responsibility for your shortcomings.
• Learning: Recognise your strengths while embracing new knowledge and experiences to support personal and professional growth.
• Technology: Adapt to new tools, access digital resources, and integrate technology into your learning.