First draft of wine college TAFE graduates enter industry

The state’s first crop of TAFE graduates from the Queensland College for Wine Tourism is moving into the industry just weeks after graduating.

Education and Training Minister Rod Welford said 35 of the 87 graduates had already secured jobs in the wine tourism industry after graduating earlier this month.

“These graduates have had the benefit of being trained at the $6.5 million state-of-the-art purpose-built college in Stanthorpe, which opened in April this year,” Mr Welford said.

“As the only wine tourism training institution in northern Australia, the college will play an increasing role in providing a skilled workforce for the growing industry.

“The college was the result of several years of planning by Government, three levels of education and the wine tourism industry.

“It’s pleasing to see such industry acceptance with more than a third of the graduates now working in the industry, including at wineries in Toowoomba, Murgon, Kingsthorpe, Kenilworth and Mount Tamborine.”

Students from seven Gateway Schools, the Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE and the University of Southern Queensland and industry members access the college.

“Students have the opportunity, in the heart of the Granite Belt Wine region, to be trained in a real industry setting – from planting the grapes to bottling the wine and operating a commercial cellar door, winery and bistro,” Mr Welford said.

“The college’s end-to-end curriculum provides a seamless and accelerated progression to wine tourism industry qualifications up to postgraduate level in viticulture, oenology, wine processing, tourism, hospitality and business.

“The recent TAFE graduates gained certificates and diplomas in food processing, hospitality, hospitality management, tourism, business and business administration.

“The large number of graduates shows the effort being made to address skills shortages through relevant and flexible training.”

Media contact: Marnie Stitz or Emma Clarey on 3237 1000