‘D&I - ASI Diploma Scholarship’

Ahead of the 2022 ‘International ASI Diploma for Sommelier’, Sommeliers Australia is offering two women/non-binary* Professional members – working as sommeliers – the opportunity to take part in the ASI Diploma through the newly introduced Sommeliers Australia D&I – ASI Diploma Scholarship.

Developed to support the further education and career progression of women/non-binary sommeliers in Australia, the Sommeliers Australia D&I – ASI Diploma Scholarship will cover the cost of two recipients to take part in the ASI Diploma assessment on Monday 14 March (valued at $600 each), plus offers them mentoring and training (workshops, masterclasses and a trial assessment) in the lead up to the Diploma assessment day.

The pre-assessment mentoring and training sessions will be conducted virtually and in-person, alongside the two candidates who will represent Sommeliers Australia at the ASI Best Sommelier of Asia & Oceania 2022 – Chris Ryan and Paolo Saccone.

The training sessions will be led by Sarah Andrew and former Sommeliers Australia ASI Best Sommelier of the World representative Loic Avril, with support from ASI Diploma holders and qualified Master Sommeliers.

The Sommeliers Australia D&I – ASI Diploma Scholarship presents a great opportunity for mentoring and networking, in addition to up-skilling professionally and personally, for any woman/non-binary sommelier wanting to develop their confidence and add an internationally recognised accreditation to their credentials.

Click here for information about the ‘International ASI Diploma for Sommelier’

APPLICATION CRITERIA

In order to apply for the Sommeliers Australia D&I – ASI Diploma Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Must be a current Professional member of Sommeliers Australia;
Must understand and meet all other Diploma Candidate Eligibility criteria;
Identify as a woman/non-binary;
Submit a brief application letter (no more than 500 words) outlining how they would benefit from the Scholarship;
Submit a current CV, highlighting their relevant wine and service experience;
Submit a current photo for social media use, should the applicant be successful;
Must have completed at least WSET Level 3 or CMS Certified OR have equivalent industry experience (at least 3 years sommelier experience recommended);
Must be available to attend the mentoring and training sessions;
Must be available to sit the ASI Diploma on Monday 14 March in either Melbourne or Sydney;

Applications for the Sommeliers Australia D&I – ASI Diploma Scholarship must be submitted via the online application form no later than 12pm, Friday 26 November.

CLICK HERE FOR THE ONLINE APPLICATION FORM

All applications will be reviewed by a panel comprised Sommeliers Australia National Executive Committee and D&I Working Group members.

The two scholarship recipients will be announced no later than Monday 6 December.

For more information please contact [email protected].

PROPOSED TIMELINE, inclusive of key dates and pre-assessment training sessions:

Friday 26 November, 12pm – applications close
Monday 6 December – announcement of Scholarship recipients

- Recipients will take part in a briefing session on preparing for the ASI Diploma, including a run through of ASI education grids – self directed tasks given

Friday 10 December – ASI Certification 1 exam to be held

- It is strongly recommended that all applicants sit this (free) certification as practice

January (dates TBC) – two online sessions to cover tasting and theory
February (dates TBC) – one full day of in-person Diploma practice assessments

- Additionally, other tasks from the ASI education grids (precision pours, food / wine pairing, etc) will be covered

Monday 14 March – ASI Diploma assessment (full day)
May (date TBC) – ASI Diploma graduation for successful candidates

* Sommeliers Australia acknowledges that recent communications regarding this Scholarship did not demonstrate the inclusivity that we are striving towards. We continue to examine the language we use around gender, and are committed to learning and improving in this space.