At the recent International Wine Challenge Awards dinner the Thresher Group was recognised by the judging panel with an award for Education.

In the words of Charles Metcalfe, one of the Chairmen of the IWC, "...the judging panel have been so impressed by one company's achievement in the field of staff education that they wanted them to be recognized by a new award, introduced this year."

This award is in recognition of the series of comprehensive staff training schemes that all employees of the Thresher Group are required to undertake. These include the Thresher Wine School, the Thresher Product Knowledge Foundation Certificate and various stages of the WSET courses.

The Thresher Wine School was launched in December 2006 in conjunction with Hatch Mansfield and consists of a 3 hour workshop including a tasting session on all the major grape varieties for all new staff. Since the inauguration of the School in December 2006 over 1133 Thresher Group staff members have completed the course. Additionally, all members of our staff are required to complete The Product Knowledge Foundation Certificate. This course is designed to familiarize staff with our product ranges. The Thresher Group also sponsor many of our staff to undertake the WSET certificates. Over the last 5 years 1373 staff have completed the WSET Intermediate Certificate, 532 completed the WSET Advanced Certificate and 42 completed the WSET Diploma.