WineGB launches hiring toolkit for vineyards and wineries

Launched during National Inclusion Week, it is a direct response to WineGB data showing the need for more employees.

The new Hiring Toolkit is designed to help anyone involved in hiring, training, or supporting people in the wine industry.

WineGB said that the toolkit includes plenty of content and practical guidance to help create a more inclusive, equitable, and accessible industry for small as well as large producers.

It includes templates for agreements, code of conducts, and policies, checklists, tips for staff retention and a list of resources to support with hiring. In addition, users of the toolkit can also find case studies about good practice in the industry around hiring, inclusion, and people policies, as well as research and information on recruitment and workers in the industry.

The toolkit is particularly aimed at supporting small producers or those who do not have HR or the time to create these resources. In addition, the guide highlights the latest employment data from the English and Welsh wine industry.

Rapid increase in numbers of employees

The number of employees in the industry is rapidly increasing and now has 3,300 full-time equivalent (FTE) roles, up from 2,300 roles in 2023, which marks an increase of more than 40%, WineGB confirmed.

Recruitment in hospitality has seen the biggest increase. There has been an even larger jump in recruitment in seasonal temporary positions, with a 56% increase to 13,000 people from 8,300 part-time or seasonal positions in 2023.

By 2028 90% of respondents to the WineGB Industry Survey expect to increase their full-time equivalent positions, resulting in a 21% rise in full-time equivalent roles, and by 2040 modelling suggests a sector employing 30,000 jobs.

WineGB said it is directly supporting measures for this growth, and the new toolkit will provide tools to attract the right staff and retain them through the opportunities the industry provides.

This is the latest in a series of activities to ensure that the sector can secure the widest talent pool available and to support retention and diversity.

Given the importance of a safe working environment, in October 2024 WineGB launched a free and open access Safeguarding and Welfare Toolkit. WineGB also created the EDI Hub, a dedicated resource designed to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion within the wine industry.

Next in the series to show that UK wine welcomes all is the extension to the SWGB certification programme to incorporate standards on people within the scheme.

This year WineGB also launched the Sustainable Packaging Toolkit, which examines different forms of wine packaging, assessing their strengths and weaknesses.

Nicola Bates, CEO of WineGB, said: “With the numbers of employees increasing rapidly in our sector, and even more expected growth, we are helping the sector with the toolkit.

“We are particularly mindful of the additional workload recruitment can create, especially at a time of growth within our industry. Many wineries are starting harvest right now and employing extra staff, so it’s crucial that we provide all the essential help we can.”

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