The approximately 80 "Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK)" in Germany are professional corporations under public law to which companies of various sizes belong. They include all tradesmen and companies with the exception of pure craft enterprises, farms and freelancers. As autonomous self-governing bodies under public law, they are only subject to the legal supervision of the state and represent the interests of their companies vis-à-vis municipalities, state governments and regional state agencies. One of the many business areas is responsible for education and training.
After passing the final examination in a recognised apprenticeship occupation or upgrading training, graduates receive an IHK examination certificate. This corresponds analogously to the journeyman's certificate in the skilled trades or the IHK skilled worker's certificate. In viticulture, this applies to the professions of cellar master, sommelier, wine consultant, wine culture expert and wine technologist(wine cooper). In addition, IHK offices offer seminars on topics such as sensory analysis, wine to food and winemaking. See the various professions and functions under viticulture training.
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Dominik Trick
Technischer Lehrer, staatl. geprüfter Sommelier, Hotelfachschule Heidelberg