Vineyard Apprentice

Summary

This is an amazing opportunity to join a dedicated organisation with a passion for sustainability and organic techniques. Vineyard Farms (MDCV) have history of producing award-winning Provence Rosé and English Sparkling Wines. This is a chance to join a fast growing UK industry. You will learn a variety of skills related to vineyards.

Wage

£30,000 a year

Apprentice's will be eligible to earn up to 10% of their basic annually based on KPI's met.

Training course

Crop technician (level 3)

Hours

Monday to Friday with one hour lunch break.

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 19 October 2026

Duration

2 years

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

The apprentice will learn all elements of Vineyard Management and Vine care. Supporting the Vineyard Manager with projects, planning and execution of the plan.

Day to day work will vary depending on the season, but will include: 

• Weeding
• Hoeing
• Grinding roots
• Leaf stripping
• Bud rubbing
• Grape picking/ harvesting in late summer/ autumn
• Tying down
• Strimming
• Trellising
• Supporting the Vineyard Manager with projects, planning and execution of the plan
• Disease control and identification
• Crop walks to identify issues and building a plan to combat them

Where you'll work

COURT LODGE
LUDDESDOWN ROAD
LUDDESDOWN
GRAVESEND
DA13 0XE

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

PLUMPTON COLLEGE

Training course

Crop technician (level 3)

What you'll learn

• Identify and mitigate risks to promote and maintain health, safety and security. (Core)
• Manage accurate paper or digital records within the workplace. (Core)
• Maintain and operate machinery and equipment in accordance with manufacturer operating instructions. (Core)
• Maximise economic sustainability by optimising plant growth when carrying out operations. (Core)
• Establish crops to ensure efficient and sustainable growth. (Core)
• Operate vehicles in accordance with manufacturer operating instructions. (Core)
• Control pests, weeds and diseases using integrated pest management.  (Core)
• Apply and store pest management treatments in accordance with standard operating procedures, legislation and regulations. (Core)
• Carry out plant nutrient application or irrigation tasks required by the crop. (Core)
• Carry out harvesting and dispatch operations. (Core)
• Assess and monitor crops for quality, performance and specification requirements. (Core)
• Select harvesting techniques taking account of crop condition and quality requirements. (Core)
• Maintain biosecurity and hygiene practices in line with legislation, regulations and organisational requirements. (Core)
• Keep harvested crops in suitable conditions to maintain quality. (Core)
• Maintain soils or substrates to ensure sustainable, efficient and healthy growth. (Core)
• Sample and evaluate soil or substrate health to determine nutrition requirements. (Core)
• Comply with health and safety legislation, regulations, guidelines and procedures relevant to own role. (Core)
• Participate in learning and CPD activities. (Core)
• Manage own time to achieve tasks to schedule. (Core)
• Consider different approaches to current working practices, identifying improvements, developments and innovative ideas. (Core)
• Set and monitor machinery performance to ensure good seed or plant establishment and crop growth. (Soil based)
• Set machinery and equipment taking into account the crop, environment, soil condition and specification requirements. (Soil based)
• Maintain non-productive areas. (Soil based)
• Assess the impact of machinery on soil structure and identify potential damage in accordance with legislation. (Soil based)
• Optimise growth conditions for crops, based on the specific needs of the plant relative to the environment. (Container based)
• Maintain productive and non-productive areas. (Container based)
• Plan for and carry out the removal of waste materials following harvest or dispatch. (Container based)
• Evaluate and select different growing mediums taking into account site conditions and production requirements. (Container based)
• Identify and mitigate risks to promote and maintain health, safety and security. (Core)
• Manage accurate paper or digital records within the workplace. (Core)
• Maintain and operate machinery and equipment in accordance with manufacturer operating instructions. (Core)
• Maximise economic sustainability by optimising plant growth when carrying out operations. (Core)
• Establish crops to ensure efficient and sustainable growth. (Core)
• Operate vehicles in accordance with manufacturer operating instructions. (Core)
• Control pests, weeds and diseases using integrated pest management.  (Core)
• Apply and store pest management treatments in accordance with standard operating procedures, legislation and regulations. (Core)
• Carry out plant nutrient application or irrigation tasks required by the crop. (Core)
• Carry out harvesting and dispatch operations. (Core)
• Assess and monitor crops for quality, performance and specification requirements. (Core)
• Select harvesting techniques taking account of crop condition and quality requirements. (Core)
• Maintain biosecurity and hygiene practices in line with legislation, regulations and organisational requirements. (Core)
• Keep harvested crops in suitable conditions to maintain quality. (Core)
• Maintain soils or substrates to ensure sustainable, efficient and healthy growth. (Core)
• Sample and evaluate soil or substrate health to determine nutrition requirements. (Core)
• Comply with health and safety legislation, regulations, guidelines and procedures relevant to own role. (Core)
• Participate in learning and CPD activities. (Core)
• Manage own time to achieve tasks to schedule. (Core)
• Consider different approaches to current working practices, identifying improvements, developments and innovative ideas. (Core)

Training schedule

Training will occur in 10 weekly blocks of teaching split between the Plumpton College and the college’s Rock Lodge Vineyard.  
The course attended shall be for a full 5 day a week, class sessions over 5 separate weeks, and equates to attending for 5 days in a row once every 2 months.
The course with be conducted at Plumpton College. 

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade 4)
• Maths (grade 4)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Communication skills
• Organisation skills
• Problem solving skills
• Number skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Initiative
• Patience
• Physical fitness

Other requirements

As we are a rural location, we recommend having your own transport. You will be working in all weather conditions and open to the elements.