Scotch whisky has become the country’s leading export commodity with international demand rapidly rising for premium Scottish whisky. Undertaking an apprenticeship to learn the craft of developing exceptional ultra-premium spirit brands is both rewarding and challenging. In latest research c39% of Scotch Whisky companies take on apprentices.

As an apprentice you earn whilst you learn and work alongside experienced staff who will help you build a range of job-specific skills. Within the Scotch Whisky industry, you have a choice of Modern Apprenticeship (leading to Spirits Operations at SCQF Level 6) and In-house Apprenticeship schemes that have been designed to meet the specific needs of the industry; providing a structured way to learn, discover the wide range of career opportunities available and to develop the skills you will need to be successful.

The Modern Apprenticeship Scheme

A Modern Apprenticeship in Spirits Operations, involves working with large range of employers including multinational organisations through to small craft distillers

There are three elements to the programme:

• Studying to achieve a Spirits Operations at SCQF Level 6
• Core Skills development which include:
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Working With Others
  • Information and Communication Technology
  • Numeracy
  • You will also need to complete either:
    • IBD General Certificate in Distilling
    • IBD General Certificate in Packaging
  • Whisky industry specific training including: malting, mashing, fermentation and the distillation process. Which includes skills development in casking, bottling, labelling and packaging. The programme involves all aspects of warehouse operations, moving raw materials and casks and organising their distribution.

Employers typically also provide additional outcomes as part of the programme, which may include:

• People skills such as team leader, managing others, working in a team
• Manager or supervisor skills development
• Communications in the workplace
• Report writing at management level
• Large scale processing outcomes
• How to deal with complaints
• Conflict resolution
• Dealing with personnel issues
• Employment law
• Food Hygiene Intermediate Certificate
• Additional SVQ units from any qualifications at SCQF Levels 6-8 (e.g., Management or Team Leading)
• SVQ Food and Drink Operations Principles/Knowledge units at SCQF Level 5 or above
• HACCP (Intermediate Level)
• Health and Safety Certificate
• ESOL: Work and Study Related Contexts (Access 3/Intermediate 1)
• Food Safety for Manufacturing Award
• Coaching Certificate
• Manual Handling Certificate
• First Aid
• Water treatment

Skills and experience

Modern Apprenticeships are available to employees aged 18 or over who are expected to achieve high standards of achievement. The programme is designed to stretch you and enable you to acquire significant skills and knowledge to help you fulfil the job role. You will need to demonstrate to employers that you have the potential to complete the programme.

Qualifications gained

You will achieve the SVQ in Spirits Operations at SCQF Level 6.

Duration

Most Modern Apprenticeships take between 2 – 4 years to complete.

Level 6 Spirit Operations: https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/media/46931/ma-framework-spirits-operations-at-scqf-level-6.pdf

Institute of Brewing and Distilling
Tel: 020 7499 8144
Website: http://www.ibd.org.uk
Twitter: @IBDHQ
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IBDHQ

National Skills Academy for Food and Drink
Tel: 0330 174 1253
E-mail: info@nsafd.co.uk
Website: http://nsafd.co.uk
Twitter: @NSAFD

Scotland Food and Drink
Tel: 0131 335 0940
Website: http://www.foodanddrink.scot
Twitter: @scotfooddrink
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scotfooddrink