ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:
the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.
These occupations require some skills and knowledge of viticulture adviser. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of viticulture adviser with a significant experience and/or extensive training.
This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of viticulture adviser.
Types of wine: The large variety of wines, including the different types, regions and special characteristics of each. The process behind the wine such as grape varietals, fermentation procedures and the types of crop that resulted in the final product.
Raisin grapes: The rules and conditions for growing raisin grapes: characteristics of the vine and growing regulations.
Pest control in plants: Types and features of pests in plants and crops. Different kinds of pest control methods, activities using conventional or biological methods taking into account the type of plant or crop, environmental and climate conditions and health and safety regulations. Storage and handling of products.
Horticulture principles: The standard horticultural practices, including but not limited to planting, pruning, corrective pruning, and fertilisation.
Table grapes manipulation: Understand growing practices for both new and existing table grape cultivars; trellis design, canopy and fruit management, vine physiology including light and carbohydrate issues, growth regulators and girdling, vine capacity and crop load determinations
Plant disease control: Types and features of diseases in plants and crops. Different kinds control methods, activities using conventional or biological methods taking into account the type of plant or crop, environmental and climate conditions and health and safety regulations. Storage and handling of products.
Advise on plant mineral nutrition: Advise on protocols for plant growth parameters, content and composition of ions, soil analysis, flux measurement and high throughput analysis through public facilities.
Develop grape growing techniques: Develop growing techniques for wine grapes to improve wine quality and returns. Work on trellis design, canopy and fruit management, plant physiology, growth regulators, vine capacity and crop load determinations.
Control wine quality: Taste the wine and strive to improve the quality. Develop new styles of wine. Making sure that quality is maintained during all production stages, including when it is bottled. Record quality checks line with specifications. Assume responsibility for the maintenance of all quality parameters for all wines.
Monitor water quality: Measure water quality: temperature, oxygen, salinity, pH, N2, NO2,NH4, CO2, turbidity, chlorophyll. Monitor microbiological water quality.
Advise on nitrate pollution: Nitrous oxide emission contributes to depletion of the ozone layer, which protects the earth from ultraviolet radiation. It is also the mineral fertiliser most applied to agricultural lands. Fertilisation has introduced high amounts of nitrogen into the viticultural ecosystem.
This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of viticulture adviser. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.
Organic farming: Principles, techniques and regulations of organic farming. Organic farming or ecological agriculture is an agricultural production method, which places a strong emphasis on environmental protection and ecological balance.
Agronomy: The study of combining agriculture production and protection and regeneration of natural environment. Includes the principles and methods of critical selection and adequate application methods for sustainability in agriculture.
These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of viticulture adviser. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.
Develop personal skills: Set goals for personal development and act accordingly. Plan personal development by analysing work experience and establishing areas that need development. Takes part in training sessions considering his/her abilities, possibilities and feedback.
Develop irrigation strategies: Plan the deployment of methods and procedures for watering the land by artificial means, taking into account strategies for water use sustainability.
Provide tourism related information: Give customers relevant information about historical and cultural locations and events while conveying this information in an entertaining and informative manner.
Promote sustainability: Promote the concept of sustainability to the public, colleagues and fellow professionals through speeches, guided tours, displays and workshops.
Advise on irrigation projects: Advise on the construction of irrigation projects. Review contractor orders to ensure the compatibility of the design with installation concepts and pre-existent grounds master plan. Monitor the contractor’s work.
Conduct public presentations: Speak in public and interact with those present. Prepare notices, plans, charts, and other information to support the presentation.
