Responding to interest in business training for those managing winemaking enterprises, the Eastern Institute of Technology has launched its Graduate Diploma in Business with a wine industry endorsement.

EIT’s Applied Head of School, Diane Marshall, says EIT was aware than many wine business managers came from a background in science, and saw the need to broaden skills from this highly-specialised knowledge base.

The new qualification’s study programme covers wine business management, strategic management and marketing, international business and a wine business research project.

Launched in July, the qualification is offered as a part-time online distance learning programme.  Students can study from anywhere in New Zealand and take between one and three years to complete.

“The knowledge and skills acquired in the graduate diploma will improve managers’ capabilities to manage change and growth in their wine businesses,” Mrs Marshall said, “and enhance promotion prospects for those already employed in the industry.”