Develop the skills your business needs, invest in emerging talent and help shape the future of the UK wine industry with a Viticulture Apprenticeship at Plumpton College.
As the UK wine industry continues to grow, developing a skilled workforce is essential to its long-term success.
Plumpton College’s Level 3 Viticulture Apprenticeship offers vineyards and wine producers an opportunity to invest in their workforce, combining specialist training with practical, on-the-job experience.
The programme is designed to equip new entrants with the theory, technical knowledge and hands-on skills needed to work as a vineyard operative, while providing a strong foundation for career progression towards roles such as assistant vineyard manager.
Whether you are considering recruiting new talent or developing an existing employee, an apprenticeship can help you build a skilled, motivated workforce equipped to meet the needs of your business.
Specialist training for the wine industry
Partnering with Plumpton gives your employees access to experienced staff with extensive knowledge of the wine industry, alongside our purpose-built Wine Centre. Facilities include a commercial winery, research winery, laboratories and a sensory evaluation room, providing a specialist environment in which to develop industry-relevant skills.
Our apprenticeship combines workplace experience with block weeks of college-based learning, enabling apprentices to put their knowledge into practice while continuing to develop professionally. Qualifications are endorsed by WineGB and relevant land-based sector bodies to meet industry demands, with the opportunity to work towards equivalent qualifications in maths and English where required.
Employers and apprentices can also benefit from discounts on Plumpton’s LandPro Training suite of qualifications and assessments, including LANTRA Tractor Driving and Awareness of Integrated Weed Management.
Financial support to help you recruit
Taking on an apprentice can be a cost-effective way to bring new talent into your business. Eligible smaller employers may benefit from government-funded training and additional financial incentives to support recruitment.
For eligible non-levy-paying small and medium-sized employers (SMEs), 100% of apprenticeship training costs are funded by the Government for apprentices aged 16–24, subject to applicable funding rules.
Additional financial support may also be available, including:
- £1,000 Young Apprentice Payment for employers recruiting an eligible apprentice aged 16–18.
- £2,000 SME Hiring Incentive for eligible SMEs recruiting an apprentice aged under 25, provided they start their apprenticeship within 90 days of commencing employment.
These incentives can help reduce the cost of bringing new people into your business while investing in the skills needed for future growth.
Join our next apprenticeship cohort
Plumpton College is currently recruiting for its next Level 3 Viticulture Apprenticeship cohort, commencing on 9 November. Late joiners may be accepted in early January, subject to availability.
If you are a vineyard considering recruiting a vineyard operative or looking to develop the skills of an existing employee, our team can help you explore the programme and the support available to employers.
To find out more about the apprenticeship, discuss funding options or help recruiting an apprentice, contact Business Services: [email protected]
For more like this, sign up for the FREE Vineyard newsletter here and receive all the latest viticulture news, reviews and insight
