Research skills shortage ‘a real concern’ for wine industry

Wine Australia says there are not enough relevant university courses to meet industry needs

Almost half of Australia’s wine producers are finding it difficult to recruit skilled scientists, with universities and training colleges cutting back on agricultural science courses, an industry report has said.

Wine Australia, the country’s biggest funder of wine science research, says the shortage of senior viticulturists is “a very real current concern” for an industry that contributes $45.5 billion annually to the nation’s economy.