[Laurie]

I have a question for those out there that might be in the same boot as my husband.

He has been in the wine industry for close to 20 years...as a winery owner, wine maker and grape grower. All his knowledge comes from 20 years of work experience...he has no formal education.

For the EOI process we can get points for the work experience and now with the changes we can get a few more points but still not enough for the 100...unless of course a job offer would come.

My question is whether you can still get a qualifications assessment from the NZQA based on work experience and not education.

Laurie

[markkellaway]

Hi Laurie,

I very much doubt it. My advice would be to contact all the vineyards in NZ and talk to them about prospects. If you are really serious then think about a trip over to scout around. The wine industry in NZ is still growing as far as I know, I'm sure he'll get lots of interest with all that experience. :nice1

Best of luck to you!!

Mark. :P

[Laurie]

Thanks Mark for your comments...

We are actually leaving January 26th for a 5 week holiday/prospecting trip to New Zealand. We plan to do exactly that and scout around the winerys and see what their comments are...

I am hoping that we get some positive feedback from our trip...

Laurie

[markkellaway]

Laurie,

I'm sure it will be fine. We have a friend who is a welder, no qualifications at all. Went to a show in london and got offered 2 jobs working for companies supplying Wineries with vats. They now live in beautiful Blenheim and I am SOOOOO jealous!! :laugh

All the best, let us know how the trip works out.

Mark. :P

[wayne]

that sounds great as I'm a fully qualified welder with teaching cert as well so a job should be no probs :P

[markkellaway]

I Should clarify, by qualifications for our friend I meant further academic (A level/HND/Degree etc.). As a welder he is very qualified, and welds stainless steel (I believe).

Cheers,

Mark. :P

[Graham Barnes]

Hi Laurie,

Agree with Mark on this one.
NZQA "does exactly what it says on the tin" (UK advert); it assesses qualifications. It only considers work experience in parallel with quals if appropriate (E.g. in my line...teaching).
But you seem to have things well in hand anyway.
Good Luck.

Graham

[ruthyroo]

http://www.winejobsonline.com/

Has your hubby had a look at the above site? Came across it when DH was contemplating a career change... also I think that various wine industry jobs may be on the OSL for Canterbury / Nelson / Marlborough??

[Laurie]

Thanks for the website info. I did not have this one. I will check it out. I know that it is on the OSL list for the region you mentionned. Now just have to get a job offer and then we would be able to submit our EOI...

Hopefully come January when we are down there we will get a good feel for what we could expect.