Women in Wine: Wine Industry Digital Upskilling Program

Women in Wine

Digital Upskilling Program

Diploma of Digital Technologies

Digital Upskilling for the Wine Industry

The Diploma can be undertaken part-time over 2 years at 3 hours online per week after hours plus 9 days of hands-on workshops (face-to-face or remotely) over the duration of the program (out of vintage periods).

Hear from our graduates talking about the Diploma of Digital Technologies - Women in Wine program

Read the wine industry case study

What you will study

Expression of interest

Case Study

What you will study

Innovation and industry 4.0

The subject has been designed to provide graduates with an understanding of theory and practice of Industry 4.0 approaches. It explores how digital technologies can transform the wine sector through the application of robotics, sensor-based solutions, automation and data analytics.

Cyber-physical systems, robotics and automation

Autonomous technology is an area of increasing attention in the wine industry. It can be used in the vineyard for irrigation and administering pesticides. Autonomous technology such as collaborative robots (cobots) can also be used for transportation in wineries or bottling and packaging. Cyber-physical systems based on AI and IoT technologies can be used to measure various vineyard factors such as temperature and irrigation to optimise grape production and quality.

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is vital for all modern businesses. It is core business. Proactive strategies need to be devised to counter threats, vulnerabilities and protect data collected on customers, staff, production processes and other critical business items. Sensor based systems and communication networks need to be protected and cyber-secure. This subject focuses on cybersecurity awareness to develop preventative strategies for business operation, recovery, and continuity.

Production Engineering

Production Engineering approaches lead to sustainable cost effective approaches from the vineyard to wine production, packaging and bottling. It ensures that equipment and processes operate at an optimal effectiveness, aligned to business and environmental goals. Production engineering ensures that all equipment is maintained and is operating at peak level of production, considering the inherent complexities of a wine business.

Engineering Design

Design thinking skills is important in devising creative solutions to problems in the grape and wine sector. This subject will include design thinking, ideation, prototyping solutions and 3D printing to apply innovative approaches to the sector.

Digital Transformation Professional Project

This subject focuses on digital transformation in your workplace and involves developing a practical solution, pilot or proof of concept to explore what role digital transformation can play in your business. You will work on a project of relevance to your workplace.

Benefits to your business in nominating a candidate

Training in Industry 4.0 innovation, for example robotics, sensor-based electronics, digital transformation, cyber-security, traceability, blockchain
Reduced productivity down-time to accommodate training as the course is delivered part-time over 2 years, requiring approximately 3 hours online per week.

Case Study

The Flinders University Diploma of Digital Technologies upskills participants including regional women in the wine and grape sector.

Wine Australia Senior RD&A Manager Jo Hargreaves said the program’s purpose of providing individuals with the knowledge, skills and practical application of Industry 4.0 for their businesses is vital to the grape and wine sector now and in its future.

“The skills gained by women in wine – from within the vineyard to wine production, packaging and bottling to cellar-door and marketing – who are participating in this program will help drive the national wine community forward and contribute to a sustainable and profitable sector for the future,” she said.

Photo of Diploma participant Gemma Charles, Commercial Manager – Third Party, Pernod Ricard Winemakers

“Wine Australia is thrilled to be involved in this partnership with Flinders University. It directly reflects Wine Australia’s strategic approach to support people across the sector with upskilling and professional development opportunities as well as enhancing the sector’s efforts across innovation and agtech adoption.”

Diploma student, Gemma Charles, Commercial Manager – Third Party, Pernod Ricard Winemakers, based in Barossa Valley said,

“As my first Semester comes to a close, I have learned so much about Cyber Security, Industry 4.0 and Innovation, and how these topics apply to my work and industry. I have found the content of the Diploma to be easy to digest, highly flexible and the lecturers to be very supportive. I am really looking forward to beginning the Robotics and Automation and Engineering Design topics in-person at Flinders University, Tonsley in Semester 1, 2023, to learn more about these new technologies and increase my skills, knowledge and awareness.”

The flexible delivery discussed enabled the program to be expanded regionally and nationally in various State and Territory in Australia (SA, NSW, VIC, WA, ACT, QLD, and TAS). The innovative delivery involves online and hybrid modes with intensive practicals scheduled at suitable times for the cohorts, ensuring they are not scheduled during vintage for wine participants.

Flinders University is delighted to have won the South Australian Skills Commission's Industry Collaboration award at the South Australian Training Awards in 2021