Vineyard Apprentice
ALBURY VINEYARD LIMITED
Surrey (GU5 0RY)
Closes in 13 days (Wednesday 18 March 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 2 March 2026
Contents
Summary
We are seeking a motivated and practical Vineyard Apprentice to join our established team. This is a hands-on role with significant tractor operation responsibilities and increasing involvement in vineyard machinery maintenance. This is a genuine career entry & development opportunity within professional viticulture.
- Wage
-
£14,722.50 to £23,809.50, depending on your age
National Minimum Wage
- Training course
- Crop technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
8am– 4pm with half an hour for lunch.
37 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
-
Wednesday 1 April 2026
- Duration
-
2 years
- Positions available
-
1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
Day to day tasks will vary, but will include:
Tractor & Machinery Operation (Primary Focus)
- Operate vineyard tractors safely and efficiently
- Spraying (in line with organic standards), mowing, undervine cultivation and trimming
- Support harvest logistics and vineyard transport
- Maintain accurate spray and machinery records
- Uphold health, safety and environmental compliance
Vineyard Operations
- Winter pruning and tying down
- Canopy management and crop thinning
- Vineyard monitoring and record keeping
- Harvest operations
- Supporting sustainable vineyard practices
- All hands-on and tractor mounted operations required to maintain the vines
Equipment Maintenance & Responsibility
- Assist with servicing and preventative maintenance
- Take increasing responsibility for routine machinery checks
- Maintain service logs and maintenance schedules
- Identify wear, faults and mechanical issues early
- Ensure machinery cleanliness and safe storage
Where you'll work
Silent Pool
Shere Road
Albury
Surrey
GU5 0RY
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
PLUMPTON COLLEGE
Training course
Crop technician (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Identify and mitigate risks to promote and maintain health, safety and security. (Core)
- Manage accurate paper or digital records within the workplace. (Core)
- Maintain and operate machinery and equipment in accordance with manufacturer operating instructions. (Core)
- Maximise economic sustainability by optimising plant growth when carrying out operations. (Core)
- Establish crops to ensure efficient and sustainable growth. (Core)
- Operate vehicles in accordance with manufacturer operating instructions. (Core)
- Control pests, weeds and diseases using integrated pest management. (Core)
- Apply and store pest management treatments in accordance with standard operating procedures, legislation and regulations. (Core)
- Carry out plant nutrient application or irrigation tasks required by the crop. (Core)
- Carry out harvesting and dispatch operations. (Core)
- Assess and monitor crops for quality, performance and specification requirements. (Core)
- Select harvesting techniques taking account of crop condition and quality requirements. (Core)
- Maintain biosecurity and hygiene practices in line with legislation, regulations and organisational requirements. (Core)
- Keep harvested crops in suitable conditions to maintain quality. (Core)
- Maintain soils or substrates to ensure sustainable, efficient and healthy growth. (Core)
- Sample and evaluate soil or substrate health to determine nutrition requirements. (Core)
- Comply with health and safety legislation, regulations, guidelines and procedures relevant to own role. (Core)
- Participate in learning and CPD activities. (Core)
- Manage own time to achieve tasks to schedule. (Core)
- Consider different approaches to current working practices, identifying improvements, developments and innovative ideas. (Core)
- Set and monitor machinery performance to ensure good seed or plant establishment and crop growth. (Soil based)
- Set machinery and equipment taking into account the crop, environment, soil condition and specification requirements. (Soil based)
- Maintain non-productive areas. (Soil based)
- Assess the impact of machinery on soil structure and identify potential damage in accordance with legislation. (Soil based)
- Optimise growth conditions for crops, based on the specific needs of the plant relative to the environment. (Container based)
- Maintain productive and non-productive areas. (Container based)
- Plan for and carry out the removal of waste materials following harvest or dispatch. (Container based)
- Evaluate and select different growing mediums taking into account site conditions and production requirements. (Container based)
- Identify and mitigate risks to promote and maintain health, safety and security. (Core)
- Manage accurate paper or digital records within the workplace. (Core)
- Maintain and operate machinery and equipment in accordance with manufacturer operating instructions. (Core)
- Maximise economic sustainability by optimising plant growth when carrying out operations. (Core)
- Establish crops to ensure efficient and sustainable growth. (Core)
- Operate vehicles in accordance with manufacturer operating instructions. (Core)
- Control pests, weeds and diseases using integrated pest management. (Core)
- Apply and store pest management treatments in accordance with standard operating procedures, legislation and regulations. (Core)
- Carry out plant nutrient application or irrigation tasks required by the crop. (Core)
- Carry out harvesting and dispatch operations. (Core)
- Assess and monitor crops for quality, performance and specification requirements. (Core)
- Select harvesting techniques taking account of crop condition and quality requirements. (Core)
- Maintain biosecurity and hygiene practices in line with legislation, regulations and organisational requirements. (Core)
- Keep harvested crops in suitable conditions to maintain quality. (Core)
- Maintain soils or substrates to ensure sustainable, efficient and healthy growth. (Core)
- Sample and evaluate soil or substrate health to determine nutrition requirements. (Core)
- Comply with health and safety legislation, regulations, guidelines and procedures relevant to own role. (Core)
- Participate in learning and CPD activities. (Core)
- Manage own time to achieve tasks to schedule. (Core)
- Consider different approaches to current working practices, identifying improvements, developments and innovative ideas. (Core)
Training schedule
- The apprentice will be taught in-person at Plumpton College via block release
- This will be one week (five days) every two months during term time
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4)
- Maths (grade 4)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Team working
- Detail oriented
- Reliable
- Punctual
Other requirements
- Practical, hands-on mindset
- Comfortable working outdoors year-round
- Full UK driving licence (required for tractor work)
About this employer
Albury Vineyard is an established 20-acre organic vineyard producing premium English sparkling wines using the traditional method as well as a still rosé. Since planting in 2009, the vineyard has developed a strong reputation for quality, environmental stewardship and community engagement.
- Certified organic viticulture
- Focus on soil health and biodiversity
- Responsible water and energy management
- Long-term environmental stewardship
- Commitment to a safe and supportive working environment
We believe premium wine begins in the vineyard, through attention to detail, respect for the land and skilled practical work.
What We Offer
- Structured apprenticeship with formal qualification
- Significant responsibility with vineyard machinery
- Training in organic vineyard management
- Exposure to premium English wine production
- Supportive and experienced team
- Clear pathway for progression within the vineyard
Company benefits
- Free parking
- 20% discount on wine
- Free attendance at some customer events.
After this apprenticeship
- The opportunity to progress to a vineyard supervisor
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
PLUMPTON COLLEGE
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000018681.
Apply now
Closes in 13 days (Wednesday 18 March 2026 at 11:59pm)