Highweald Wines is excited to announce an exciting opportunity to join us at our vineyard.

A great opportunity to work with an award winning sparkling wine producer. Work on multiple sites with full training given along the way. Additionally, a chance to work with top of the range equipment.

As this is an apprenticeship, you will attend Plumpton College for your learning through block release, where you will study for a week at a time (5 times throughout the year).

Hours: 38 hours per week. Monday - Friday. Exact timings will vary depending on season.

Salary: £24,000

Application deadline: 17th February 2025

About the Employer

Highweald wines are an award winning wine producer based in Ansty, West Sussex. We own multiple sites, have a state of the art winery and a beautiful onsite garden bar.

What will the apprentice be doing?

The apprentice's daily tasks will vary day to day and depending on the season, but will include:

tractor operations
mowing
supervising teams
all aspects of vineyard work such as pruning and harvesting

Training Provider: Plumpton College

Plumpton College is a dedicated training provider in the heart of the South Downs. With expertise in the Land, Food and Environment sectors, Plumpton provides a wealth of knowledge to its apprentices.

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

Essential Criteria for the role:

Communication skills
Organisation skills
Detail Oriented
Problem solving skills
Non-judgemental
Initiative
Creative
Team working

Qualifications: Math and English GCSE Grade 4 desirable or discussion for completion of Functional Skills Maths and English if not achieved.

Things to consider

Having access to your own transport is highly recommended due to rural location of vineyard.
Much of the work is outside in all weathers. The work itself will be quite physical. During peak season, early starts will be required. Being prepared for this is important.
You MUST not be in any other form of full-time or part time formal education (such as school, college or university) to be eligible to apply for an apprenticeship. Shorter course may not apply.
You MUST have lived in the UK for a minimum of 3 years prior to the start of learning and be eligible to work in the UK.
You MUST belocated in an area local to the apprenticeship or be prepared to relocate in time to start employment and study.
This apprenticeship is approximately 24 months.

Job Type: Apprenticeship

Pay: £24,000.00 per year

Application question(s):

Do you hold a UK driving license, if yes, do you own a car?
Why do you wish to pursue a career in the wine sector?

Work Location: In person

Highweald Wines

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