Crop Technician (Viticulture)

Viticulture or vine 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 actively 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 required for success.

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
• Principles of plant growth and development of plant health
• Harvest planning and management
• Vineyard nutrition application and irrigation tasks if applicable to aid growth of crops
• Promote and maintain health & safety and standard operating procedures
• Vineyard machinery & equipment
• Impact of machinery n soil structure and potential damage
• Maintenance of non-productive areas
• Managing accurate records within the workplace
• Environmental issues/legislation, codes of practice and company policies
• Relationship between environmental conditions (including weather), plant protection methods and crop growth
• The importance of maintaining systems for record keeping and storage within the organisation
• Quality standards
• For more information on the skills, knowledge and behaviours associated and learnt on this apprenticeship, please download the file attached to this link: Crop Technician Viticulture Level 3

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 (5 blocks each academic year, August-July) split between the college's main campus and Rock Lodge Vineyard.

The entry requirements for all Level 3 programmes, will require either: 

• GCSE 3 or above in English (either Literature or Language) and Maths
• GCSE D or above in English (either Literature or Language) and Maths
• Level1 Functional Skills English and Maths (or equivalent qualification|) at this level or Level 2

Should you not meet the entry requirements for English and Maths, please get in contact with us. We are aware that there are many factors that may have affected your previous education and grades, so will consider these in support of the application on an individual basis.

In addition to your prior English and Maths qualifications, you will complete an initial assessment for English and Maths as part of your pre-boarding session in college. This assessment will give us a current working level grade and will indicate which level Functional Skills you will be enrolled on if you have not got a GCSE 4/C or above in English and Maths. We may contact you to discuss this grade if we have any concerns.

If you have a grade 4/C or above in GCSE English and/or Maths, you will not be required to attend Functional Skills English and/or Maths sessions as part of your Apprenticeship.

Please note: You will be required to produce your GCSE certificates BEFORE you start your course to be exempt from attending Functional Skills English and Maths sessions.

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 Business Services team on 01273 892127 or via email.

You must be in a role that will allow you the opportunity to develop the necessary skills, knowledge and behaviours set out in the apprenticeship. Additionally, apprentices must have a working level of maths and English that will allow successful achievement of level 1 functional skill prior to the end point assessment.

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.

If you are an employer and would like to recruit or enrol an existing employee onto an apprenticeship please contact our Business Services team on  01273 892127 or via email.