Central Otago vineyards' labour force seems secure, with a record number of viticulture students working their way through Otago Polytechnic's Central Otago-based viticulture programme this year.
Otago Polytechnic lecturer Raewyn Paviour said 45 students were working at their own pace through the study programmes that commenced about 18 months ago, while another five had graduated already.
Central Otago Winegrowers Association (COWA) president Nick Mills said he was thrilled with the number of people entering the industry.
"This is great news for the wine industry. It means we'll potentially see a lot of educated and highly skilled people entering the industry, many applying their talents locally," he said.
Ms Paviour said the number of enrolments in previous years had been fewer.
It was difficult to quantify the growth because the course structure had changed, allowing students to start their studies any time of the year rather than requiring them to enrol at the beginning of an academic year.
Previously, the polytechnic might have had about four or five students in the full-time diploma course each year, and about eight in the level 4 certificate programme, Ms Paviour said.
Both diploma and certificate courses allowed students to work full-time and study at home via distance learning technology, with extra support from polytechnic staff in the workplace as well.
Modular courses were provided in the diploma, allowing students to tick off each subject one at a time. Week-long block courses were also offered at certificate level.
Being in a wine-producing region "absolutely has an impact", as did the wish-lists of the industry, Ms Paviour said.
Many diploma students worked as vineyard supervisors or managers while studying, she said.
