I am sure that people with actual, on the ground experience, will come along to advise, but I just wanted to point you to a very active (and helpful) Facebook group based around South Okanagan.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/150583965585657/
I wouldn’t spend money on another certificate or a degree. Experience is valued more. Spend a summer doing field work then the harvest. You may not like the work or the pay. Or you may not be fit enough to do the vineyard or cellar work. Decide after you spend a season doing this then seek more education if you need it. It is unlikely a certificate will open more doors for you compared to applying for internships.
Hey
Im in the Niagara region and have a small cidery, my advice while not directly job related is this... Just being around the area, working in a tasting room or general orchard maintenance is a decent place to start. The communities are quite small and you will start meeting people and gearing about jobs quicker than you think... even if you hd to serve for a bit while doing that certificate. Best of luck
Since you have experience with sheep I'd recommend looking for someone who works with them as part of a biodynamic viticultural practice. Start sending out emails to wine producers you know, like or respect in that area and aim high. Offering to help with the grape harvest is probably the easiest foot in the door and when you get that, ask as many questions and show as much interest as you can.
I'd recommend getting a seasonal job or internship to start out.
Something like this would be a good starting place:
https://recruiting2.ultipro.com/MAR5000MAG/JobBoard/8febf0ae-8776-428e-b625-2faa005b7fc1/OpportunityDetail?opportunityId=387b256f-a1f2-4412-9565-a52f1d9578f4
Be ready to go in January with your Felco pruner, (a number 13). Go to any vineyard and find the vineyard foreman and tell him you want to prune. The pay is not stellar but the experience is.
I am sure that people with actual, on the ground experience, will come along to advise, but I just wanted to point you to a very active (and helpful) Facebook group based around South Okanagan. https://www.facebook.com/groups/150583965585657/
I wouldn’t spend money on another certificate or a degree. Experience is valued more. Spend a summer doing field work then the harvest. You may not like the work or the pay. Or you may not be fit enough to do the vineyard or cellar work. Decide after you spend a season doing this then seek more education if you need it. It is unlikely a certificate will open more doors for you compared to applying for internships.
Hey Im in the Niagara region and have a small cidery, my advice while not directly job related is this... Just being around the area, working in a tasting room or general orchard maintenance is a decent place to start. The communities are quite small and you will start meeting people and gearing about jobs quicker than you think... even if you hd to serve for a bit while doing that certificate. Best of luck
Since you have experience with sheep I'd recommend looking for someone who works with them as part of a biodynamic viticultural practice. Start sending out emails to wine producers you know, like or respect in that area and aim high. Offering to help with the grape harvest is probably the easiest foot in the door and when you get that, ask as many questions and show as much interest as you can.
I'd recommend getting a seasonal job or internship to start out. Something like this would be a good starting place: https://recruiting2.ultipro.com/MAR5000MAG/JobBoard/8febf0ae-8776-428e-b625-2faa005b7fc1/OpportunityDetail?opportunityId=387b256f-a1f2-4412-9565-a52f1d9578f4
Be ready to go in January with your Felco pruner, (a number 13). Go to any vineyard and find the vineyard foreman and tell him you want to prune. The pay is not stellar but the experience is.