Course helps with jobs

Cellar hand course at NMIT turns lives around

A four-week cellar hand course at the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology in Blenheim has helped unemployed people get jobs in Marlborough's wine industry.

One year has passed since NMIT introduced the course, in conjunction with the Ministry of Social Development and Work and Income, and in partnership with wine companies Indevin, Constellation and Pernod Ricard.

Demi Galle, 21, and Zacharaya Floyd, 22, were two of 10 people from around Marlborough who took the opportunity to turn their life around in last year's intake.

This was their second year of working the 7am-7pm shift at Indevin for vintage.

Zacharaya and Demi were enjoying their jobs and saw themselves going further in the industry. "It's good to get your foot in the door," Zacharaya said, with Demi adding "we definitely want to go further in the industry."

NMIT programme area leader Jeff Wilson said only one graduate from last year had gone back on the unemployment benefit.

It was the most successful Straight to Work programme in the South Island, he said.

The course was designed to end in time for the annual wine harvest so students could secure jobs at a winery of their choice.

They had three days' work experience at a winery every week to demonstrate their work ethic to a potential employer.

Mr Wilson said people who could see themselves working in the industry, and weren't afraid of hard work were ideal candidates for the course.

The course featured guest speakers and tutors from Marlborough's wine industry, including Vitis New Zealand engineer Mark Taylor, winemaking tutor Tricia Jane and viticulture tutor Glenn Kirkwood, who also taught NMIT's Diploma of Viticulture and Winemaking. Students gained a well rounded education through learning about health and safety, food hygiene, budgeting, and numeracy and literacy skills. Making "bucket wine" from grapes donated by one of the wineries was a highlight for many students.

Indevin general manager of operations Deane Caughey said the graduates were a welcome addition to the company's team as the wider industry relied heavily on international people to fill vacant positions during vintage.

"We're very keen to be involved in getting more local people into the industry," Mr Caughey said.

"Both Demi and Zach have been doing great, they've come out of their shells, they have more confidence, and they're gaining experience."

Fourteen students from Marlborough, aged between 19 and 40, enrolled in this year's course, which finished in March.