A new wine and tourism degree set to expand opportunities
A new international degree in wine and tourism at Flinders University will develop business skills and industry knowledge to expand career opportunities in the wine and tourism sector.
According to Wine Australia, there are around 2,468 wineries employing 163,790 full and part-time employees across 65 winegrowing regions in Australia. Contributing over $45 billion annually to the Australian economy, the wine industry offers a range of career opportunities, especially for those with business skills and industry knowledge.
Riposte Brand manager Nick Knappstein travels the world expanding the profile of his family-run Adelaide Hills wine brand. Despite decades of industry experience, Nick acknowledges the advantages of having business qualifications in a competitive international export industry.
‘Many employees of smaller to mid-size wine companies are having increasingly broad areas of responsibility,’ says Nick. ‘Formal qualifications encompassing all facets of the industry, from viticulture through to export market development, are an important holistic approach to the industry.’
‘It also gives employers confidence that an individual holding the qualification is an asset to a wine business across a variety of roles.’
Flinders’ new Bachelor of International Business (Wine, Spirits and Tourism) is for those looking to begin a career in the sector and for current industry professionals wanting to develop their global business skills.
‘Attempting to upskill while working full time is a huge challenge. The flexibility of online learning and the ability to complete intensive blocks is a great initiative,’ says Nick.
In a dedicated sensory lab at the Bedford Park campus, students will learn to judge the quality of wines and spirits, and understand their history and heritage. The degree includes hands-on experience with four-week industry placements, practical field trips, and study tours across Australia’s leading wine tourism regions and to international trade fairs including ProWein and Vinitaly.
Flinders University’s Director of the MBA and wine business programs, Professor Roberta Crouch, says the degree is designed to maximise graduate employment opportunities and enhance the sector’s global competitiveness.
‘The curriculum was developed in conjunction with leading academics, industry experts and feedback from extensive market research,’ says Professor Crouch. ‘This exciting combination of expertise will provide students with practical, internationally recognised qualifications that are highly regarded by employers around the world.’
Lead and innovate in a global industry
Learn from industry experts from around the world and receive a business education that is ranked number one in South Australia for ‘Teaching Quality in Business & Management’ (The Good Universities Guide 2020). Apply now for the Bachelor of International Business (Wine, Spirits and Tourism). flinders.edu.au/wine-spirits-tourism