George Brown College in Toronto is home to an Advanced Wine and Beverage Business Management program. The program is designed to refine and enhance the skills of hospitality graduates and industry professionals. This Ontario College Graduate Certificate program is located at the St. James Campus within the Centre for Hospitality & Culinary Arts, School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. Spanning three semesters and beginning every September, the program offers a blend of in-depth learning and practical experience.
The curriculum is meticulously structured to provide students with advanced knowledge in beer, wine, spirits, and mixology. But it’s not just about the beverages; the program also delves into vital business skills such as financial management, organizational behaviour, and strategic marketing. This holistic approach ensures that graduates are well-equipped to navigate the complex and ever-evolving beverage industry.
In the first semester, students immerse themselves in the fascinating world of wine with Intermediate Wine – WSET Level 2, coupled with courses in Human Resources Practices and Strategic Marketing specifically tailored for the beverage industry. Beer enthusiasts will appreciate the Beer School, offering Level 1 & 2 Prud’homme Beer Certification, and the semester is rounded off with Financial Beverage Management.
The learning journey deepens in the second semester with Advanced Wine – WSET Level 3, Advanced Mixology, and Food and Beverage Pairing and Operations. The Wine and Beverage Business Development course also equips students with the skills to thrive in this dynamic field.
Students will leave the program with the ability to manage different departments within food and beverage environments, position products in the market using savvy wine merchandising and marketing techniques, and interpret import/export regulations in the wine industry. The program hones financial management skills specific to wine-related enterprises, along with developing leadership and human resources skills in the beverage business. Additionally, students learn to apply current business strategies for sustainable hospitality entities.
With career options such as beverage directors, sales agents, territory managers, product consultants, brand ambassadors, wine stewards, tour guides, retail operations, and portfolio managers, graduates find themselves in a sector experiencing record growth. The program also serves as an educational pathway for those with related diplomas or bachelor’s degrees in hospitality management fields.