Choosing the Right Wine and Spirits Training Organization

If you are currently reflecting on your professional future, you may have decided to pursue training because you know that developing new skills or switching careers requires professional education. However, choosing the right training organization can quickly become complicated due to the sheer number of options available. Not all training centers are the same, and not all of them offer the same quality.

Nevertheless, selecting the right institution is essential, as it will determine the success of your project.

So, here is a small guide: 8 key criteria to consider before taking the plunge.

Choose the Wine and/or Spirits Training that Aligns with Your Career Goals

Before comparing training providers, clarify your goal.

There are different types of training:

• Qualification programs, which provide access to the job market.
• Certification programs, which certify specific skills in wine and spirits. WSET wine courses and WSET spirits courses are examples of certification programs.
• Degree programs, which are recognized by the state, such as BTS, DUT, Bachelor’s, Master’s, etc.

Next, choose the format. In-person, online (e-learning), or hybrid (blended learning)—choose the format that best suits your needs, desires, and current constraints. Keep in mind that each format has its pros and cons. It’s a personal choice. WiSP offers all three formats depending on the program.

Compare the Quality of the Content

To fully benefit from professional training, the content must be of high quality. The quality of wine and spirits training content varies depending on the provider. So, compare carefully. Serious training programs consist of several modules designed to address all of your questions, needs, and career objectives.

Some providers offer complementary modules or features. This is the case with WiSP, which goes beyond the content provided by WSET or the Wine Scholar Guild.

In addition to the materials and books provided by WSET, WiSP gives you access to exclusive content created by the teaching team to make learning more engaging. For some courses, you have access to an e-learning platform offering immersive content, challenges, and interactive maps that enhance the material delivered by WSET.

Excellence, rigor, and quality are part of WiSP’s DNA. We generously share as much knowledge as possible to help you progress and succeed in your exams.

Opt for a Training Organization with a Strong Reputation and International Recognition in the Wine and Spirits Sector

The reputation of the training institutions you’re considering can help guide your choice.

If your goal is clearly to boost your career in the wine and spirits sector or to smoothly transition following a career change, it is crucial to select an organization with an excellent reputation, international recognition, and a proven track record.

To assess the reputation of a training provider, check the reviews directly on their website. If the feedback is positive, it’s a good sign that the institution is serious. By also exploring their social media, you can verify if the team is made up of experts and if the subjects covered in their posts are of high quality.

Also, consider the organization’s longevity. Since it takes time and experience to design a high-quality program and pedagogical approach, longevity is a good comparison criterion.

Look at the school’s success rates and other satisfaction indicators. If these are displayed transparently on the website, it usually means the numbers are good.

Also, check what kinds of events the organization hosts, who its partners are, and whether they are prestigious in the wine and spirits world.

One last point that could help guide your decision: the reviews from former students. Check them out, and you’ll quickly be able to compare the quality of the training institution.
If possible, talk to former students to get their opinions on the school.

WiSP’s reputation speaks for itself. The numbers are telling:

• 100% of participants recommend WiSP.
• More than 7,500 students are trained each year.
• WiSP has been certified for over 10 years to deliver WSET courses and for over 15 years for French Wine Scholar. In 2017, WiSP was nominated among the eight best WSET® training centers globally out of more than 700 centers for the WSET® Educator of the Year award.

The overall success rate is 85.7% across all exams.
Satisfaction indicators for the 2022/2023 academic year are excellent: 4.80/5 for the quality of our teaching methods, 4.70/5 for the quality of our teaching materials, and an overall rating of 9.52/10. Additionally, 80.7% of respondents are willing to trust WiSP again for future training.
Beyond these figures, WiSP is also a community of over 4,500 Alumni worldwide, representing more than 30 different nationalities.

Consider the Support Provided to Learners: Is the Support Personalized?

Before enrolling, you have the right to know how the training will unfold. From receiving your invitation to receiving your completion certificate, each step should be clearly outlined. Some institutions offer post-training modules to help reinforce recent knowledge—this is a real plus.

For those who prefer guidance, choose training providers that offer regular follow-ups with instructors, coaching with a tutor, access to an online platform, assistance with financing paperwork, help with administrative procedures, intensive review sessions to pass your exam, and ongoing contact with your instructors. Access to an Alumni community post-training to share job offers in the sector is another key advantage.

Few institutions, like WiSP, offer personalized support from A to Z—before, during, and after the training. From defining your objectives to obtaining your diploma, including help with financing applications, the WiSP team supports you at every step. At WiSP, the teaching team remains in touch with you even after you’ve earned your certification.

If You Choose In-Person Training, Compare the Class Sizes and Number of Participants

For wine and spirits courses that involve many tasting moments, it is important that the groups do not exceed 15 people. This is the case at WiSP.

The Expertise of the Trainers: A Key Criterion

Before making your choice, verify the expertise of the trainers, as this is essential for the success of your professional training. The teaching qualities and skills of the instructors play a crucial role in the motivation and success of the students. It’s vital that the training provider works with instructors who are experts in their field, who have extensive knowledge of the wine and spirits industry, and who have substantial professional experience. To that end, learn about their backgrounds, skills, and teaching methods.

At WiSP, you are trained and guided by expert trainers and specialists in their respective fields, whether in wine or spirits, from all corners of the world. They share their knowledge passionately and generously. All of them hold degrees in their respective fields, including several Masters of Wine, and are active professionals in the industry. Some trainers even publish their work.

To name just a few: Didier GHORBANZADEH, who works at La Maison du Whisky and regularly contributes to Whisky Mag & Fine Spirits. Or, for wine, Colin Gent MW, Franck Smulders MW, Rod Smith MW, Matthew Stubbs MW, Michael Palij MW, and Caro Maurer MW—all six are Masters of Wine.

Ensure the Training is Eligible for Financing

While professional training is beneficial for participants, it’s not always free. In some cases, you may need to pay several thousand euros to develop your expertise.

Fortunately, training funds, OPCOs, or Pôle Emploi offer several financing options for those wishing to undergo training. However, the amount of funding depends on your individual situation. Therefore, it’s advisable to check beforehand whether the training you want to pursue is eligible for financing based on your circumstances. All WiSP wine and spirits training programs can be funded, depending on your status at the time of enrollment.

Certifications

Certifications and labels can help you in your decision. They assure you of the training organization’s seriousness and compliance with national or international standards, thus increasing your chances of securing financing.

WiSP is certified by QUALIOPI for its “Training Actions” category—a national certification that represents a true commitment to quality and rewards our daily training activities. WiSP is also ISO 9001 certified and recognized by the CRFH of Nouvelle-Aquitaine.

Compare Pedagogical Approaches

When undergoing wine or spirits training, it is essential that the teaching method combines both theory and practice or real-life scenarios. The teaching tools and methods used by the school are also important.

At WiSP, we aim to combine theoretical contributions, group discussions, moments of conviviality, and tasting to ensure that learning is always enjoyable. Our pedagogical approach is based on four pillars:

1. An ACTIVE approach to pedagogy to engage all learners, regardless of their background.
2. An IMMERSIVE approach that promotes experiential learning.
3. A DYNAMIC approach with webinars and masterclasses to enrich and energize our wine and spirits training.
4. An INCLUSIVE pedagogy to effectively manage the diversity of learning groups. All our courses are accessible to individuals with disabilities.

In Summary, Choosing Your Training Organization is Not a Decision to be Taken Lightly

Choosing requires time and attention. To sum up, here are three mistakes to absolutely avoid during your search:

• Selecting the first training you find without comparing.
• Not researching the institution and its reputation.
• Choosing a course that doesn’t match your needs.

Discover all the courses offered at WiSP to boost your career in the wine, beer and spirits industry.