Wine Australia has launched a transformational asset for students, teachers, and primary and high schools that provides a real-world connection from the vineyard to education.
Careers in Viticulture and Wine is a site that provides age-appropriate information and supports the exploration of the diverse range of careers available and the pathways to them.
It also supplies national school curriculum-aligned teaching resources and various activities that connect key school subjects with areas of the sector’s production and operations.
For the grape and wine sector, the resource offers an opportunity to connect with local and regional schools.
The aim is to provide budding viticulturists, winemakers, innovators, agtech specialists, and marketers, cellar door managers with the opportunity to hear directly from those with expertise.
Wine Australia CEO Dr Martin Cole said the resource was developed as a direct response to feedback from the grape and wine sector.
“From sustainability to creativity, investigation to innovation, there are careers across the length and breadth of the sector that support the interests, values, and aspirations of our youth,” said Cole.
“We are aiming to inspire the next generation by demonstrating the breadth of, and the pathways to, careers across the wine sector value chain.”
A central component of the site is a virtual tour that allows students to choose their own adventure by matching values and aspirations, strengths, and subjects to a career in the sector.
Road-tested with school students, the tour complements classroom activities that explore appropriate topics for students from foundation through to year 12.
“Teachers expressed a need for activities connecting lessons to real-world scenarios, and it has been rewarding to work with education experts to develop the extensive range of resources for teachers and schools, which are now hosted in one site for easy access,” said Cole.
Nuriootpa High School in the Barossa is featured on Careers in Viticulture and Wine, showcasing the school’s hands-on wine program and its connection to practical skills and experience for students.