BUDDING wine communicators could have their career trajectory boosted with the aid of a national wine industry mentor program, as part of a partnership between the University of Adelaide and Wine Communicators of Australia.
The Wine Industry Mentor Program pairs ambitious wine industry professionals with respected industry leaders for a period of six months.
One-on-one sessions will give mentees the opportunity to tap into experiences and insights from the best experts in their fields.
The program is set to benefit people who will take a leading role promoting Australia's wine industry in their public relations, marketing and communications careers.
It aims to boost both the personal and professional development of early career wine communicators by giving them access to a wealth of knowledge from respected wine sector leaders; greater career clarity, direction and satisfaction; networking opportunities with like-minded, ambitious young wine communicators and advice with career progression.
The inaugural six-month program has attracted notable names to act as mentors from across the country setting a high standard for the program launch.
Mentors include Fogarty Wine Group marketing manager Toni Carlino, tafeSA wine & spirit school coordinator and Fall from Grace winemaker Gill Gordon-Smith, Accolade Wines consultant Bill Hardy, wine journalists Jenny Port and Katie Spain and more.
WCA executive officer Lynda Schenk said it was a proud moment to launch the program alongside the University of Adelaide.
"WCA is committed to supporting and helping to grow future leading wine communications, by learning from and connecting with experienced wine professionals," she said.
"We believe the relationships that will be forged will be extended past the six month program, fostering greater collaboration and connections across generations of the Australian wine sector."
The University of Adelaide's Noel Lindsay, Dean of the Adelaide Business School, and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Entrepreneurship) said the wine industry was of enormous importance to the South Australian and Australian economy.
"The Wine Industry Mentor Program will help the next generation of wine communicators achieve their career goals by exposing them to some of the best communications minds in the industry," Professor Lindsay said.
"Partnerships such as this, between the Adelaide Business School and Wine Communicators Australia, will strengthen the wine industry, ensure its growth and its future sustainability.
"I'm very pleased to see this partnership deliver such an important support mechanism for the next generation of wine industry leaders."
Applications to be mentees in the Wine Industry Mentor Program are open until August 30 for Australian residents, ahead of an October 1 start date.
Applicants are expected to be in the early stages of their careers in the wine industry.
Eligibility criteria are available on the WCA website.