The traditional academic education system in Serbia only recognizes training that is narrowly focused on viticulture or food technology (which includes wine technology). However, the development of the winemaking scene has opened up space for many occupations that require other professional profiles and knowledge, which are not covered by the classic curricula of traditional school institutions. These include wine merchants, wine writers, sommeliers, and HORECA sector professionals.
In recent years, numerous schools, academies and other informal institutions offering wine training have been opened in Vojvodina as well. Now, even those who join the queue as wine lovers or because of a professional motive in connection with the sale of wine can learn about the world of wine.
Borislav Mihajlovic – Mihiz Vocational Secondary School (Srednja stručna škola “Borislav Mihajlović Mihiz)
Since 2009, the Borislav Mihajlovic – Mihiz Vocational Secondary School has been offering oenological education. The special feature of the Ürügi (Irig) institution is the several hours of practical training, during which the students can practice the viticulture and winemaking specialization live. The possibility of education according to the dual model is also given in the secondary school operating in the heart of Szerémség, on the southern slopes of the Tarcal Mountains (Fruška Gora), since there are several renowned wineries in the area, which bravely employ local young people. During the training, the students acquire knowledge that can be applied in practice in a real company work environment.
Subotica School of Chemical Technology (Hemijsko-tehnološka škola Subotica)
In the 2021/2022 school year, a Hungarian-language dual major is also available to eighth-graders, namely the four-year viticulture-wine major at the Subotica School of Chemistry and Technology. The impressive building of around 7000 square meters is also one of the city's most prominent cultural heritages, within whose walls the viticulturist and oenologist, which started as an experimental branch of the specialization in agriculture, food production and processing, expects a lot from the specialists and the Hungarian National Council. The specialization was already proven years ago, as it was possible to create award-winning items thanks to the work of the students from Szatka.
https://www.magyarszo.rs/hu/2989/tarka/142355/Bor%C3%A1sztanul%C3%B3ink-sikere.htm
In the field of wine education, we asked the staff of the EDUCONS University of Vojvodina, as the educational institution involved, to provide information on the current situation of viticulture and wine education.
The wine world is changing incredibly fast. The wine-producing countries of the Carpathian basin are still at a disadvantage compared to overseas or traditional wine-producing regions. In the last thirty years, for various reasons, the foundations of quality wine production had to be rebuilt mostly everywhere. Education is an essential part of this. Neither production, nor trade, nor catering can develop without good vocational training, and preferably higher education.
We asked Vladica Vojinović, the project manager of the EDUCONS University in Vojvodina, and Nevena Djokić, an expert winemaker, about the topic. Nevena Djokić expressed her opinion below as a specialist participating in the Edu Wine project.
How do you see the willingness of young people to learn in the profession? Are young people interested in the wine industry?
In recent years, the number of young people interested in winemaking has noticeably increased. They mostly start opening up to the field after finishing formal education, so more and more people apply for courses such as sommelier training and wine tourism studies. But this also includes topics emphasizing wine and its cultural aspects.
What problems do students who study in vocational secondary schools or higher education face?
Every year, schools are faced with a low number of enrolled students. The institutions have very good educational and working conditions, students have the opportunity to make their own wines in microvinification. However, propaganda is very weak. They don't know the possibilities, there is no functioning platform where the school can get an opportunity to introduce itself. As for higher education at the University of Novi Sad, winemakers are trained in the Faculty of Technology and viticulturists in the Faculty of Agriculture, so there is no program that combines these two professions. This, when we look at the world's institutions offering the highest quality training, is a serious disadvantage.
Nowadays, dual training is given serious emphasis in all professions. Is there a possibility for dual training in the region?
There is a need for dual training in the region, especially in higher education. Without dual training, students do not have the necessary experience to be involved in production. This in itself makes it difficult to locate them. In the future, the emphasis must be placed on connecting training institutions and producers, this should not be a question. The involvement of wineries in training in this way is now essential.
What are the employment prospects of young graduates pursuing specialized studies?
After completing the specialization, students can find a job in many wineries in the region. This does not only extend to the production of wine itself, but also to wine tourism opportunities. In addition, there are government incentive programs for those who want to start their own winery. Hungary and Serbia are destinations where the growth of the wine industry is expected in the future, so it is a good decision for students to invest time and energy in wine studies. We can say that the possibilities are wide.
Is working abroad a big attraction? Do many students continue or complete their studies abroad if they already have experience studying at home?
Gaining experience abroad is highly desirable, and today we see many examples in this area as well. We consider sharing knowledge and gaining experience very important for every start-up entrepreneur or employee. The wineries of well-known regions in Europe are often open to young people who want to work in the wine industry, especially during the harvest season, when there is a particularly high demand for labor. There are programs that allow students to go on such internships, but it is not uncommon for young professionals to find the wineries they want to work with and contact them directly. Everyone who has had a professional internship abroad returns home with a lot of inspiration, and the knowledge gained abroad is valued, so that person has a good reputation in the labor market of their country.
What are the most attractive destinations for young wine professionals?
In addition to well-known European regions such as Italy, France, Spain, young professionals often choose to travel to Australia, New Zealand, California and South Africa to expand their experience.
What we would like to encourage is the exchange of professionals from neighboring countries, given that the wine selection in these countries is very similar, and sometimes even exactly the same as ours. It can be interesting for participants to make connections here to see how professionals respond to the same challenges. How do grape varieties react to roughly the same conditions, and what different features do they show during production. It is very important for developing countries to learn from their neighbors, and in this way they can help improve the quality of the region's wines.
What we would like to encourage is the exchange of professionals from neighboring countries, given that the wine selection in these countries is very similar, and sometimes even exactly the same as ours. It can be interesting for participants to make connections here to see how professionals respond to the same challenges. How do grape varieties react to roughly the same conditions, and what different features do they show during production. It is very important for developing countries to learn from their neighbors, and in this way they can help improve the quality of the region's wines.
The Serbian Sommelier Association (SERSA), whose members are the Vojvodina Sommelier Association and the Šumadija Sommelier Association, has been organizing and holding sommelier courses since 2003. Serbian sommeliers take a serious part in spreading the wine culture here as well, which, as a whole, promotes the birth of higher quality wines. The production side, just like catering at home and abroad, requires highly qualified professionals.
Until recently, the professional sommelier course was the only oenological training that Serbian wine lovers could attend. SERSA is a member of the ASI International Sommelier Association. It is important to emphasize that the training program corresponds to the ASI program, so the SERSA sommelier certificates are internationally recognized. So far, nearly 1.000 people have completed professional sommelier courses, while more than 2.500 wine lovers have listened to the courses. The courses are held in Belgrade, Novi Sad and Kragujevac.
The training takes place at several levels: it is aimed at professional sommeliers. In addition to the world's wine regions and grape varieties, of course the wines of Serbia, serving, wine and food pairings are also part of the curriculum. There are four levels of education and at the end of the course, the student who successfully passes the exam becomes a professional sommelier.
The Sommelier Association also offers shorter courses for wine lovers and demanding consumers. These 15-20 hour courses introduce interested parties to the world of wine tasting, introduce them to the basic concepts used in wine tasting, the language used to describe wine and the most important wine styles.
SERBIAN WINE ACADEMY
This institution was founded in 2015 in Sremski Karlovci. The courses are also held here, so those interested in Vojvodina can easily visit the classes. As a partner institution (Approved Program Provider) of the Wine and Spirit Education Trust, students can participate in WSET Level 1 and Level 2 courses.
WSET 1 – The course according to the WSET curriculum provides basic knowledge for wine lovers and all those who are taking their first steps in the hospitality/wine industry. The aim of the course is to provide knowledge that includes the basics of wine making, wine trade and wine consumption.
WSET 2 – The course is aimed at wine lovers and professionals who already have some basic knowledge of wine. The purpose of the education is to familiarize the students with the factors that affect the quality, style and, ultimately, the price of wines. The central theme is label knowledge and interpretation, preparation of wine descriptions based on the most essential properties of wines, acquisition of wine serving skills and knowledge of wine storage, wine stocks, and the harmony of food and wine.
The great advantage of the international WSET courses is that whoever takes the exam in a foreign language receives a certificate from London certifying the passing of the exam. This paves the way for you to continue your studies abroad after passing the Level 3 exam. Level 4 training courses are also organized in Central Europe in Austria (Ruszt, Vienna), Switzerland and Florence, Italy. Students who graduate here have good opportunities on the international labor market.