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Vineyard Apprentice Oxney Organic Estate

Vineyard Apprentice opening at Oxney Organic Estate, a vineyard near Rye on the East Sussex / Kent borders. This position will give fantastic grounding in viticulture by working with an experienced team and attending Plumpton College.

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Closing date: 01 Sep 2022

Apprenticeship summary

  • Annual wage

    £9,379.50

    Wages explained

    Apprentices are paid for their normal working hours and training that's part of their apprenticeship (usually one day per week).

    Minimum Wage Rates

  • Working week

    Monday to Friday 8am to 4.30pm. One hour for break and lunch. When work requires we sometimes work on the weekend.

    Total hours per week: 37.5

  • Expected duration

    24 Months

  • Possible start date

    01 Dec 2022

  • Date posted

    27 Jul 2022

  • Apprenticeship level

    Advanced
    Level 3 (A level)

  • Reference number

    VAC1000069852

  • Positions

    1 available

What will the apprentice be doing?

You will be learning about and getting involved in every aspect of the vineyard. You will also get some insight into activities in the winery. On a daily basis you will:

- Learn about growing grapes in England and contribute to managing the vineyard working with the team. This includes pruning, canopy management and looking after young vines.

- Start to understand the seasonal aspect of viticulture and appreciate disease management. This includes spraying (when PA1 and PA3 has been achieved) and types of disease management programmes.

- Contribute to looking after vineyard equipment and learning how and when to use the equipment in the vineyard. This includes tractor driving - weeding and mowing, leaf stripping and trimming.

- Winery: You will also be part of the winery team helping when required with bottling, disgorging and labelling.

 

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

Training:
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

Delivery model:
10 weekly blocks of teaching at Plumpton College split between the main campus and the college’s Rock Lodge Vineyard.

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

What is the expected career progression after this apprenticeship?

Once training is completed it is anticipated that a full-time position working as part of the Oxney vineyard team will be offered to the successful candidate.

Requirements and prospects

Desired skills and personal qualities

Attention to detail, Logical, Team working, Initiative, Patience, Physical fitness

Qualifications

GCSE or equivalent Maths and English (Grade C/4) Desired

Things to consider

Physical fitness is essential and so is the appreciation of working outside in all types of weather.

About the employer

Oxney Organic Estate is a vineyard and winery near Rye on the East Sussex / Kent borders. The vineyard has 35 acres of vines and is part of a large arable farm. We grow grapes to make sparkling and still wines in our on site winery. We have won numerous international awards for our wines over the years. The team is small and is focused on growing excellent grapes using the most up to date machinery in viticulture and internationally renowned viticulture consultants.

Employer

Oxney Organic Estate

Address

BELLHURST FARM

HOBBS LANE

BECKLEY

TN31 6TU

Contact

Kristin Syltevik

kristin@oxneyestate.com

07968952831

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Training

Training provider

PLUMPTON COLLEGE

Apprenticeship standard

Crop technician

Level 3 (A level)

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