Work-based training fosters positive culture at Indevin

11 April 2024

Offering work-based training opportunities at its vineyards and wineries is key to attracting more people to work in the viticulture industry, according to Aotearoa’s largest grower and producer of New Zealand wine, Indevin Group.


Indevin Group has access to more than 20% New Zealand’s total grape supply, growing ten grape varieties across 4000ha in Marlborough, Hawkes Bay, and Gisborne, and wineries in those regions.

The company is involved in global wine supply and partnerships, which service the world's largest retailers, and has a consumer brand portfolio which includes the Villa Maria trademark and several others.

Tim Henry is the vineyard manager of Indevin’s Gisborne vineyard and has been involved in training team members for over 20 years. Currently three of his employees are learning toward the Primary ITO New Zealand Apprenticeship in Horticulture Production (Wine Growing) a new programme.

Indevin offers viticulturalists work-based training at all its vineyards, with the support of experienced staff. Tim says the company feels a responsibility to pass on that knowledge and competencies for the future success of the industry.

“We need to provide these opportunities to new people coming in who will take over when the current generation of experience moves on to retirement. 

Work-based training fosters positive culture

Indevin also values having a mix of experience in the team and fostering a positive learning environment in the workplace.

Having learners working toward the Primary ITO apprenticeship in horticulture production supports this, and the goal is to have every learner succeed.

“My experience is that many people I work with here may not have found their future pathway at school. We find ways to help them so they can achieve.”

Setting aside time to support learners is important, he says, and experienced team members also enjoy the opportunity to show leadership.

“Our managers and teams proactively lead and teach the younger members and that is where I see the future of keeping people in the industry.”

“Everyone makes mistakes, but the best way to learn is to have someone leading from the front. With that environment the learners definitely strive, and the culture becomes very strong.”

Learners and employers are supported by a Primary ITO training advisor with regular contact and site visits to discuss the work and plan future modules. A learning support team and mentors are available to learners who require additional support.

Supportive learning environment

Primary ITO Training Advisor Wayne West says Indevin is an example of an employer who is invested in growing the skills of team members and providing opportunities for them to learn and advance.