Viticulture
Viticulture – a dynamic sector of horticulture, it is the art of growing grapes, mostly for use in wine production in New Zealand. Viticulture has become an increasingly popular and well recognised career in New Zealand.
Viticulture Courses Available
We are currently offering five National Certificates in Horticulture in the Viticulture area:
National Certificate in Horticulture (Practical) (Level 1)
National Certificate in Horticulture (Introductory) (Level 2)
National Certificate in Horticulture (Level 3)
National Certificate in Horticulture (Viticulture) (Level 4)
National Certificate in Horticulture (Viticulture) (Advanced) (Level 4)
Dates
Training is designed to occur while you are in employment, so you can start training with the NZHITO anytime during the year.
Duration
National Certificates in Horticulture:
Level 1 - 40 credits - 6 months
Level 2 - 70 credits - 1 year
Level 3 - 105 credits - 18 months
Level 4 - 140 credits - 2 years
Level 4 (Advanced) - 210 credits - 3 years
The Viticulture apprenticeship is designed to take three years to complete, so if you become a modern apprentice you will be working towards the National Certificate in Horticulture (Amenity Horticulture) (Advanced) (Level 4) qualification.
However don't forget that training with the NZHITO is self-paced and competency based, so the harder you work at your qualification the quicker you can complete it.
Location
The majority of your training will take place in your place of work, however it maybe necessary for you to attend some training away from your workplace when we cover specialist areas of study.
Entry Criteria
You need be employed within the horticulture industry and have a desire to learn.
If you don't yet have a job in horticulture your locally based NZHITO representative may be able to help you find one.
Course content
Picking grapes; planting grapevines; taking cuttings; bench and field grafting of grapevines; training grapevines; taking samples; canopy maintenance; hand and mechanical prunning; shed and field nursery activities; installation and maintenance of trellising; operating vineyard machinery; knowledge of grapevine biology, physiology, morphology, and penology; winery plant; coordinating harvesting, prunning and canopy activities; grapevine disorders and damage; frost knowledge and protection methods; soil management; estimating yield.
How to get into apprenticeships and training
For more information on how to get into an apprenticeship or training in the vegetable sector please contact the NZHITO click here for the contact in your region.
Industry Support
This sector is represented on the NZHITO board by a delegate from the New Zealand Grape Growers Council.
New Zealand Grape Growers Council Inc
c/ - New Zealand Winegrowers
P O Box 90276,
Auckland Mail Centre
