Rest & Recharge
When Kathryn Walker saw data around the mental health pressures of working in the wine industry, she was shocked.
Wine People co-owner Tayla Walker says the 18-month Wine People Internship has been developed to increase pathways into the wine industry, grow training for new wine workers, and ease labour pressure for wine companies.
She established Wine People with her mother Kathryn Walker, who was formerly Chief Executive of a large Marlborough wine company, after the duo saw opportunity to mentor new wine workers while liaising with education providers and wine companies.
The internship, starting in January 2024, offers training through Te Pūkenga - Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology and Primary ITO - and work opportunities in a range of Marlborough wine companies, from boutique to major.
In the first year, interns will have a taste of vineyard, cellar and vintage work, as well as experiences in the likes of cellar door, nursery, and logistics operations.
In the second year they will focus on areas they are best suited to, says Tayla.
"The whole point of this is to open more pathways to people coming into the industry."
The Walkers plan to start the process with 12 to 16 interns this summer.
