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FREE | NZ Certificate in Cellar Operations [Level 3]
Are you interested in a pathway into the wine industry?
Do you want a taste of what it’s like to work in a winery?
The NZ Certificate in Cellar Operations [Level 3]* is an intensive programme covering the basics of winemaking and finishing procedures during a winery harvest, and working in a cellar team. The integrated practical work is run in tandem with Hawke’s Bay wineries. This course includes a paid cellar vintage.
This course is suitable for those with no previous experience or winery workers with some experience but no formal qualifications in the cellar operations area. Final entry by interviews with EIT | Te Pūkenga and industry held in late November.
To find out more contact Jo Rolfe, Programme Secretary, jrolfe@eit.ac.nz or phone 06 830 1913
*You must be 18 years of age when you begin this programme.
Outline
The NZ Certificate in Cellar Operations [Level 3] is an intensive programme covering the basics of winemaking and finishing procedures during a winery harvest, and working in a cellar team. The integrated practical work is run in tandem with Hawke’s Bay wineries.
The courses are suitable for those with no previous experience or winery workers with some experience but no formal qualifications in the cellar operations area.
The NZ Certificate in Cellar Operations [Level 3] will give you the introductory skills needed to start your first vintage in a cellar. You could then progress onto related higher education programmes.
Upon graduating you will be able to:
- Work as an entry level cellar operator in commercial wine cellar operations.
- Utilise practical knowledge of processes involved with commercial wine cellar operations plus current health and safety information.
- Utilise a range of team cellar operations applying correct protocols and safety measures.
Successful entry into the course will be by application and interview.
Career Opportunities and Outcomes
Graduates who wish to pursue an academic pathway could transition onto the EIT Bachelor of Viticulture and Wine Science in July 2022, subject to meeting entry requirements.
Possible job opportunities may include working full-time in a winery as a cellar hand.
Dates
There is one entry point per year:
- January
Fees and Costs
Fees
Fee FREE*
Optional Purchases (approximate costs only):
$80 work boots
$35 gumboots
* This is a guide only based on the previous year. All costs quoted include GST and student services levy. Fees apply to New Zealand citizens and New Zealand permanent residents only.
Work Experience
Students are required to participate in practical work associated with a winery.
The entry interview will involve representatives of the Hawke’s Bay wine industry.
During harvest (March-April) successful applicants will complete a paid vintage of at least six weeks in a commercial winery.
Workload
On-campus classes are usually scheduled between 8.00am – 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.
Each course in this programme requires individual study time outside of classroom hours.
Practical vintage work could involve shift work of up to 12 hours per day in a commercial winery.
Entry
Entry Requirements
NCEA Level 1 or equivalent knowledge and skills is required for entry.
Applicants must complete a questionnaire about their background and reasons for wanting to undertake the programme.
The NZ Certificate in Cellar Operations [Level 3] has aspects that require a certain level of physical strength and fitness. Applicants must be physically capable of completing all aspects of the programme.
Please note that wineries have drug and alcohol restriction requirements.
English Language Entry Requirement
All applicants must have a level of English sufficient to be able to study at this level. Those applicants whose first language is not English should have an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) overall Academic score of at least 5 issued within the last two years, with no less than 5 in any band or equivalent.
Facilities
The facilities comprise of an on-site winery complex and vineyard. Adjacent to the winery are modern classrooms and teaching laboratories allowing the ready integration of theoretical and practical aspects of winemaking and vineyard management.
You will also go out to a commercial winery to complete learning practical requirements.
Courses within the Programme
|
Compulsory Courses – Brief Description |
No. of Credits |
NZQA Level |
Semester offered |
CCO3.01 |
Wine and the Wine Industry Introduction to the NZ Wine industry and the principles of working effectively in a cellar team. |
10 |
3 |
1 |
CCO3.02 |
Wine Processing Outline red and white winemaking processes and the safe use of the equipment required. |
20 |
3 |
1 |
CCO3.03 |
Cellar Operations Completion of a range of team cellar operations applying correct protocols and safety measures. |
20 |
3 |
1 |
CCO3.04 |
Wine Management Post-Fermentation Introduce the stages of finishing a wine following correct protocols and safety procedures. |
10 |
3 |
1 |
Academic Learning Services
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Scholarships
EIT offers a variety of scholarships across various subjects and programme levels. Some scholarships are based on your age, some are specific to the subject you want to study. Not all scholarships are based on your academic ability and anyone wanting to study should investigate what scholarships are available to them.
You can find a list of EIT scholarships here however there are many more scholarships offered nationally. Information about these is on an database called “givME”. givME is accessible at EIT or at some public libraries. If you would like to come to EIT to look through the giveME database don’t hesitate to contact scholarships@eit.ac.nz or call in for a chat.