It is therefore not a surprise that the wine industry is under immense pressure and the question could be raised if knowledge transfer during this period has any value and if yes, what is the value thereof during these difficult times? It is often claimed that the Winetech study groups and workshops for senior cellar assistants make a considerable contribution to knowledge transfer, resulting in increased productivity. Therefore, it is also reasonable to ask if these claims can be verified.
During the past few years wine.co.za has played an important role creating an awareness of the Winetech study groups and senior cellar assistant workshops in the industry. There is enormous value in the partnership with wine.co.za, with articles featuring monthly and photographs of cellar assistants placed on the spotlight page and in the photo album. Consequently, wine.co.za creates an awareness of the contributions cellars make to the industry, which should not be ignored. The monthly statistics provided by wine.co.za give an important insight to the topics readers enjoy.
However, to determine the value of the Winetech cellar assistant programmes, one should consider some challenges cellars experience, which were repeatedly confirmed by winemakers during interviews. Practical and general knowledge transfer to cellar assistants remain a serious need and low literacy levels is a matter of concern. Interviews with cellar assistants indicated that they believe that their options for further training and skills development are limited, but they also believe that the Winetech programmes assists them in furthering their careers. Cellar assistants often do not want to commit to further training due to a lack of interest, which could be ascribed to a low self-esteem and fear. The project leader liaises regularly with winemakers in the participating districts for their input regarding the content and other matters referring to the Winetech cellar assistant programmes. Regular communication, as well as the annual evaluation of the programmes by participating cellars, assist in identifying needs and challenges. It should be noted that the opinion of cellar assistants, winemakers, as well as cellar management, are taken into consideration in the planning and executing of the Winetech programmes.
The value of the Winetech cellar assistant programmes is confirmed during the interviews conducted with winemakers and cellar assistants. Winemakers were asked to give an indication of the challenges they experience in knowledge transfer. They were also asked to confirm the value which the Winetech programmes add to their cellar and cellar assistants. It should be noted that the information received during interviews are usually confirmed in the annual external evaluation.
The Winetech study groups and senior cellar assistant workshops are valuable tools for knowledge transfer, and it is perceived as an excellent opportunity for cellar assistants to keep abreast of new technology and to improve their knowledge. According to winemakers, the exposure participants receive contributes to the development of leadership skills, confidence, and gaining new perspectives. Cellar assistants are more inclined, after attending the study groups, to participate in discussions taking place in the cellar, as they realise that poor decisions are made if there is a fear of asking questions. This fear often stems from a lack of knowledge, which in turn results from a lack of confidence. Their increased confidence leads to improved productivity and more responsibilities are accepted. Participation in the Winetech cellar assistant programmes enable participants to make informed decisions and to take initiative independently, mainly due to their exposure to new information. Winemakers agree that consequently less errors are made in the cellar.
It is agreed that participation in the Winetech study groups and senior workshops promote communication and contribute to sound relationships. Cellar assistants experience that they are an integral part of the cellar team, which in turn leads to further inhouse training.
Some of the larger cellars confirmed the huge value added by the Winetech programmes and that the impact is immediately noticed. Cellar assistants have more confidence, ask more questions, and make good suggestions, which has a significant influence on daily operational activities. According to winemakers, cellar assistants are more motivated, they think creatively and as a result less supervision is necessary. Cellar assistants acquire confidence and take pride in their work. Their increased confidence results in more responsibility taken by cellar assistants.
Most importantly, it was also confirmed by winemakers that participation in the Winetech programmes improved labour relations. Management noticed that there is a noticeable improvement in teamwork, which they ascribed to participation in the Winetech programmes. Networks are established amongst cellar assistants participating in the Winetech programmes, thus eliminating the relative isolation they generally experience in the industry. Cellar assistants’ abilities to lead are developed and role models are established. The facilitators play an important role encouraging participants.
The content of the Winetech study groups and senior cellar assistant workshops differ every year, which results in a continuity in knowledge transfer and cellars consider this aspect to be unique. The Winetech study groups are inclusive and semi-literate individuals are invited to participate. It is a known fact that literacy levels do not influence the desire to learn. Participation in the Winetech cellar assistant programmes is free of charge.
The names of participants in the Winetech cellar assistant programmes are loaded on the industry LMS data base. Winetech adhere to the recently introduced POPIA legislation. The announcement of the annual Top Ten candidates, in random order, gives recognition to the contribution made by cellar assistants to the industry. The Winetech study groups and workshops for senior cellar assistants form the foundation for further skills development and training offered in the South African wine industry.