Wine apprentice - you're hired!

Published: 23 July, 2008

He may not look like Sir Alan Sugar but David Gleave MW, managing director Liberty Wines, is hoping to say "You're hired!" to one lucky wine trade novice.

The Italian specialist merchant is launching an initiative with the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, to find The Apprentice.

The scheme, to start in August, will give one promising person in the wine trade an immersion in all facets of the industry, including taking the WSET Advanced Certificate and Diploma and working a vintage with one of Liberty's winemakers.

Gleave said he was inspired to establish an annual apprenticeship scheme as his company had struggled to find people well suited to the industry.

"We have found any number of people who are technically able but have poor product knowledge, and many others who have an affinity for the type of wine that Liberty sells but little concept of how to sell or market it."

Ian Harris, chief executive of the WSET, said candidates would have already passed the Intermediate Certificate with distinction.

"The winner, in addition to studying for their Advanced Certificate, would start work at Liberty within the Shipping, Marketing, Sales Support and Customer Services departments from August."

The first Apprentice will graduate with the WSET Diploma in June 2009.

For more information contact WSET on 0207 089 3800.

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