Pre-Diploma in Tea Technology (Apprenticeship Model)

The objectives of the Pre-diploma in Tea Technology program are to produce a mid-level workforce that is able to:

• Prepare for the industry through a combination of institute-based education and industry-based training.
• Perform basic tea technology-related work in tea farms and industries.
• Maintain the soil fertility and productivity of tea orchards.
• Manage tea-related pests, diseases, and disorders.
• Operate and handle machines and their accessories used within tea factories.
• Perform repair and maintenance on basic types of tools, equipment, and machines used in tea farms and industries.
• Taste various different tea samples.
• Prepare business plans for establishing tea factories and orchards.
• Create self-employment opportunities by linking their newly acquired knowledge, skills, and attitudes to related occupational fields.

Individuals must meet the following criteria to be eligible for enrollment in the program:

• Have appeared for the SLC/SEE.
• Be above 16 years of age.
• Pass the entrance examination administered by CTEVT or as decided by the Office of the Controller of Examination, CTEVT.
• Be mentally and physically fit for the occupation.
• Pass a joint interview conducted by the sponsoring industry and the training institute.

Additionally, candidates will be recruited strictly based on the merit of their entrance examination results.

40 Students

24 Months

The total duration to complete the Pre-diploma in Tea Technology program is 24 months.

In terms of instructional time, the course consists of a grand total of 3,880 hours spread across 97 academic weeks. This time is divided into two main phases:

• Institute-Based Training Phase (1,280 hours): This includes a 15-week pre-training phase (600 hours), 13 weeks of training at one day per week (520 hours), and a 4-week block release phase (160 hours).
• Industry-Based Training Phase (2,600 hours): This involves 65 weeks of hands-on practice in the workplace, covering areas like machinery maintenance, processing technology, and quality management.

The syllabus for the Pre-diploma in Tea Technology (Apprenticeship Model) is structured across a total of 3,880 hours (97 academic weeks) and is divided into Institute-Based Training, Industry-Based Training, and a Block Release Phase.

Here is the detailed syllabus breakdown:

A. Institute-Based Training: Pre-Training Phase This phase consists of 15 academic weeks (600 hours) of foundational and theoretical subjects taught at the institute. The subjects include:

• Applied Communication and Professionalism
• Basic Applied Mathematics
• Fundamental of Tea Technology
• Nursery Management
• Field Establishment
• Insect, Pest and Disease Management
• Cultural Practices and Soil Management
• Training, Pruning and Harvesting Technology

B. Institute-Based Training: Weekly Release Over a period of 78 weeks, students return to the institute for one day per week, totaling 13 academic weeks (520 hours). The subjects covered are:

• Agricultural Extension and Community Development
• Tea Marketing and Intellectual Property Right
• Tea Industry and Tourism
• Tea Policies, Legislation & Supporting Schemes
• Computer Application
• Entrepreneurship Development

C. Industry-Based Training (Hands-on Practice) This is the core apprenticeship phase, comprising 65 academic weeks (2,600 hours) of practical workplace learning. It is split into two specialized practical phases:

• Phase 1: At the Tea Orchard (25 Academic Weeks): Focuses on Field Establishment, Insect Pest and Disease Management, and Training, Pruning and Harvesting Technology.
• Phase 2: At the Tea Industry (40 Academic Weeks): Focuses on Tea Machinery, Safety and House Keeping, Tea Processing Technology – I (Orthodox and Specialty Tea), Tea Processing Technology – II (CTC), and Quality Management.

D. Block Release Phase The program concludes with a 4-week block release phase (160 hours) at the training institution, which incorporates final critical theory and practical delivery before the exams.