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Viticulture Apprentice (Althorne, Essex). VINEYARD FARMS LIMITED

MDCV has a vision to bring the finest English and Provençal wines to the UK. We have history of producing award-winning Provence Rosé and English Sparkling Wines, with extensive infrastructure in the UK. We offer an opportunity for new employees to join this fast growing UK industry combined with an apprenticeship at the renowned Plumpton College.

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Closing date: 30 Oct 2022

Apprenticeship summary

  • Annual wage

    £18,532.80

  • Working week

    Monday to Fridays 8.00 to 16.00

    Total hours per week: 40.0

  • Expected duration

    24 Months

  • Possible start date

    01 Nov 2022

  • Date posted

    15 Jul 2022

  • Apprenticeship level

    Advanced
    Level 3 (A level)

  • Reference number

    VAC1000066063

  • Positions

    3 available

What will the apprentice be doing?

The successful candidates will be involved all aspects of working on a vineyard. From planting vines, pruning, and trellising to harvesting.  You will work as part of a team ensuring to ensure pest and diseases are kept to a minimum.  In the role you will learn to work with all the weather conditions.

 

What training will the apprentice take and what qualification will the apprentice get at the end?

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.

What is the expected career progression after this apprenticeship?

Viticulture in the south of England is rapidly growing. For those interested in joining, a range of career opportunities exist - either moving up to a vineyard manager or into winemaking. The apprenticeship could also be relevant to other areas of fruit growing in the South of England as well.

Requirements and prospects

Desired skills and personal qualities

Communication skills, Attention to detail, Problem solving skills, Team working, Physical fitness

Qualifications

GCSE or equivalent English (Grade 4) Desired
GCSE or equivalent Maths (Grade 4) Desired

Things to consider

The role will involve working outdoors at all times of the year.

About the employer

Vineyard Farms is owned by MDCV and they have a vision to bring the finest English and Provençal wines to the UK market. MDCV have a long history of producing award-winning Provence rosé and English Sparkling Wines, and with an extensive infrastructure, both in France and the UK we are able to harness the finest talent in all areas of our business, to deliver exceptional products to the UK market. In the UK, we are establishing the largest single vineyard site, based in Kent, and plan to be in full production from 2024. As a business, we strive for innovation and use many cutting-edge techniques in our vineyards and winemaking. The ambition and scale of what we do allows us some of the most efficient operations in the world, while still producing high quality wine of award-winning standard. We have a passion for sustainability and manage all our vineyards organically. We employ pioneering techniques to minimise our impact on the environment, such as composting organic waste, harvesting rainwater and heating our sites using natural sources, such as ground source heat pumps. While learning from our history and building for our future, we plan to revolutionise the English wine industry for the better.

Employer

VINEYARD FARMS LIMITED

Address

Andrews Farm

Burnham Road, Althorne

Chelmsford

CM3 6DS

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Training

Training provider

PLUMPTON COLLEGE

Contact

Jane Blackwood

Jane.blackwood@mdcvuk.com

Apprenticeship standard

Crop technician

Level 3 (A level)

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