Tell us about the new national competence framework – what are you trying to achieve?
The new national efficiency framework in the UK's wine industry has been developed with a clear purpose – to understand the skills, competencies and expertise necessary to support the continuous success of the industry and its growth. By creating this framework, our goal is to help employers in the industry in their employment processes and to formulate detailed functional descriptions that are in line with the current industry needs.
Sam Linter of Blumpton College says it wants to help “develop the skilled, adaptive and knowledgeable workforce that can push the wine industry in the United Kingdom in the coming years.”
One of the main objectives of this initiative is to create a standard for basic competencies that will direct the provision of consistent training in the progressive sector. Through intensive consultations with the main stakeholders throughout the industry, we have identified the current skills gaps and expected future needs.
This valuable vision enabled Bloompton College to adapt training programs that address these gaps directly, providing targeted support for all current professionals and new expatriates who enter the industry.
Why did you decide to look at this issue now?
The decision to address the issue of skills and competencies in the UK's wine industry in this turn is driven by a set of important growth trends and the urgent need to build a sustainable workforce for the future.
This industry has witnessed a rapid expansion in recent years, clearly with 94 % growth in chrome farms over the past five years and sales of sparkling wine more than 187 % since 2018. Wine still does not fail to grow 117 % sales since 2018.
DEFRA numbers of 2024 also offered this growth, highlighting that wine grape now constitutes 36 % of the soft fruit crop in England. (https://www.gov.uk/gvernment/statismics
As prosperity continues, the demand for skilled workforce is escalated. Current recruitment statistics reveal a full -time and part -time roles, with 50 % increase plans to full -time employment over the next three years, according to WineGB 2024 survey.
Expectations indicate that the industry will require about 30,000 employees by 2040, confirming the urge to attract and care for new talents to meet the requirements of future workforce.
By realizing the pivotal role it plays as a center of excellence in the UK, the Bloompton College has taken proactive steps to face these workforce challenges now. By focusing on developing the national efficiency framework, the college aims to support the path of industry growth through the development of the skilled, adaptive and knowledgeable workforce that can push the wine industry in the United Kingdom in the coming years.
What steps did you take to put the “frame” together and make sure they cover the right areas?
New training and educational support will be provided to bring a fast culture, wine industry and other skills, including technology, to wine in the United Kingdom. Cristobor Lanway image
This process took three years and was not an easy task. To start the operation, a working group that includes representatives of prominent chrome farms, wine factories and cellar doors has been formed. This collective experience was useful in dismantling the competencies and experiences required for the various job roles in chrome cultivation, wine/production, and the cellar doors.
We helped work with these companies in determining the roles of the jobs they were and those they needed, and thus identify any emerging gaps or roles that you need to address. This process took a few years to complete it, with the support of Vintns.
“Wine GB expects that by 2040, the UK's wine industry will produce more than 40 million bottles of wine. NCF is preparing to educate and train individuals on this expansion, and plays a pivotal role in stimulating the road to the UK to attack on the basis. An educational initiative.”
The following steps were the implementation of an industrial consultation, which we took through the concentration groups, including the regional associations of Winegb, chrome cultivation, wine industry, training, and the production and training committee, as well as the main stakeholders in the wider wine industry.
Reactions have been searched from different views to verify the authenticity of the frame and integrate various visions. We also talked to Defra and Winegb Board to enrich the development process, ensuring that the framework resonates with the goals of comprehensive industry and organizational frameworks.
The frame is designed to be a dynamic tool that develops besides industry requirements. We expect this to review this annually and make any necessary updates, and to integrate the roles and competencies of new jobs smoothly as they appear in response to industry developments.
What are the skills in particular that you think the industry needs to be investigated and acquired and why?
Bloompton College leads the framework of national competence
Chrome cultivation is a major area that needs a larger working power than the wine industry. The cellar/tourism door grows quickly and we see increasing demands from there as well. We also need to invest in technology to improve efficiency, environmental practices, etc.
You are also working with Winegb and Vintns on this – what is their participation and how do you work together?
Our cooperation with Winegb and Vintns was necessary to develop the national wine -making framework in the United Kingdom. Winegb has played an effective role in supporting access to many different concentration groups, as it is recommended for the business framework. Vintns has supported the framework of the framework and research in the frame.
Do you look forward to creating a curriculum under NCF so that people take them – or will it be the case of creating different courses for people to register?
Yes, we are, and we have launched many new short courses that have already been informed of the consulting process and the specific skills gaps. Moving forward, we will continue to take advantage of the framework to inform the teaching content and update it within the curriculum, while ensuring that it is still appropriate and in line with the needs and standards of industry.
You say you want to create “a framework for national competencies to inform a systematic approach to a new wine training program.” What do you mean?
The establishment of a national workforce for efficiency for the new National Training Program for Wine Training includes setting the basic skills necessary for individuals who enter the wine industry in the United Kingdom. This framework defines clear standards, skills and behaviors required for various roles in the sector. It is a reference point to maintain quality in wine production and support the growth and success of our industry in the future!
How will you promote this out of the industry to attract new gatherings of talents who may not think about a wine profession?
Certainly, we have a plan from the second stage of this which we will announce soon. Watch this space.
How will NFC be organized to ensure that the standards are kept – who will be responsible for overseeing this?
The National Efficiency Framework (NCF) will be organized and supervised by various entities to ensure support standards. As an educational provider, we cooperate with Greenwich University to ensure the quality of our certificates courses. In addition, we have our teaching and learning quality team devoted to keeping standards in all the courses we offer.
Winegb support the frame, and we will continue to request their support for any future updates or adjustments, ensuring the credibility and consistency of NCF within the industry.
NFC is “a basic piece of maps that constitute the rapid growth of people who join the UK wine scene”
NFC is “a basic piece of maps that constitute the rapid growth of people who join the wine scene in the UK.”
She said: “This is an important reference point in the industry that sets clear standards, skills and behaviors necessary for the various roles in our sector. Bloompton college worked in payments forward, the framework was pivotal. We are proud to support the frame and we are grateful to our members to participate in developing these comprehensive resources.”
Will people participate in NFC get a professional recognized educational qualification?
They will get a Bloompton certificate upon completion of part -time short courses. Those who are exposed to continuous professional development situations (CPD) can obtain UCAS and may advance towards obtaining a diploma or even a degree qualification, thus obtaining a professional recognized educational qualifications through its participation in NFC.
Will this be only available at Bloompton College, or will people be able to take courses online and all over the country?
We have started handing over regional courses and gradually expanding this approach to presenting courses in different locations throughout the country. In our second plan, we aim to provide online learning options, as well as a mixed learning approach that combines online instructions in classroom classroom. This will enhance access and flexibility for individuals interested in participating in NCF from different regions.
Anything else to say?
Thank you very much to all the participants in advice and contribute to this. It was a huge pledge.
* You can learn more about the new national competence framework and what it means here.
