VET-Artdevivre Partnership Programme: Identification of market and training needs on wine, health and social aspects and innovative tools and common approaches

Abstract

Introduction: The VET-ArtdeVivre Partnership Programme was a two-year Partnership launched in August 2012 and funded by the EC's Leonardo da Vinci (LdV). The Partnership brought together nine different actors from seven countries of both the wider wine value chain and the Vocational Education & Training (VET) field. The work focused on five different top- ics. The main objective was to identify market & training needs and to develop common approaches on wine, health & social aspects. Methods: A Market and Training Needs Analysis (MTNA) Report, consisting of the respective national versions, was drafted by the Partners and reviewed by international experts. The MTNA Report provided an in depth analysis of the respective wine markets and VET, an assessment of selected key job profiles and a mapping of relevant VET offers. Results: Based on the MTNA Report, the Partnership has developed a VET framework proposal with three different training modules according to the professional needs of Sommeliers (EQF 3–5 level), Oenologists (EQF 6 level), and Physicians (EQF 6–8 level). Each module lists the expected learning hours and outcomes, the delivery and assessment methods, reading list, the trainers’ minimum formal qualifications and experience required. These proposed comprehensive training modules are linked to a database of existing training references. Considering the MTNA results and having established a concrete proposal, the Partnership has initiated the necessary dialogue to introduce and recognise these skills both at formal & informal level and national & EU level in accordance with EQF & ECVET. Conclusions: Taking into account the increasing interest on the topic and the identified gaps, professional training on wine, health and social aspects and responsible business practices should be considered by the respective stakeholders involved in defining job profiles and training programmes for professionals of the wine value chain.