Tea Management Courses, Colleges and Career Scope

Tea is the most consumed beverage in the world. It is also a staple beverage in many households across India but we are far from being the most avid tea drinkers. Countries such as Turkey, UK, New Zealand, Japan, Ireland etc. top the list of countries that consume the most tea in the world. However, India's love for tea still stands strong and 'chai' has become a well-known word all around the world.

India is known as the second-largest tea producing country in the world after China. Assam Tea and Darjeeling Tea are two of India's finest exports that are known for their quality and taste. Tea is a well-established industry in India with the total tea exports of India reaching over $800 million in 2018-19. With the industry flourishing, it offers plenty of career opportunities for aspiring students.

Tea Management is a relatively unknown discipline of management in India but it offers a particularly unique opportunity to make a career. The various careers in tea management available in India cover the following sectors:

• Tea Plantation Management

• Tea Tasting

• Tea Marketing

• Branding

• Consulting etc.

In this article, we explore the tea management courses in India. We cover all of the basic aspects of tea management courses including eligibility, colleges, career scope and job prospects.

Tea Management Courses in India

There are various courses that cater to the tea industry in India. They can be taken up as certificate and diploma courses and there are full-time tea management courses available as well. However, a majority of the students in India are unaware of these courses and their career prospects.

Given below are tea management courses available in India.

Certificate Courses in Tea Management

Undergraduate Courses in Tea Management

Diploma Courses in Tea Management

Postgraduate Courses in Tea Management

Eligibility of Tea Management Courses in India

The eligibility criteria for admission to the various courses associated with tea management in India varies by the course as well as the programme. The following details will be helpful to a candidate interested in pursuing tea management.

• Tea Management courses are available for students who have passed class 12th as well as graduates.

• Some colleges do not have any eligibility requirements for tea management courses. Candidates with any qualification or age can take up their courses.

• Some colleges provide relaxation in the eligibility requirements for candidates who are employed in the tea industry.

• Written and/or oral proficiency in English is a requirement in many tea management colleges in India.

• Since tea management is mostly an outdoor job, colleges may require candidates to provide proof of physical fitness.

Selection Process of Tea Management Courses in India

There is no centralised exam for tea management courses in India. The selection process is defined by the college and is as per the requirements of the course. Details regarding the selection process of tea management courses in India can be found below.

• Admission is generally done on the basis of merit in the qualifying examination (10 + 2 or Graduate Degree).

• Some colleges may also conduct written tests for shortlisting or selection of candidates.

• Most tea management courses require candidates to appear for a Personal Interview. A candidate's English proficiency and career aspirations may be judged in these interviews.

• Test of sensory organs may be conducted for tea tasting and management courses.

• Candidates may be required to submit a certificate of physical fitness for the course.

Course Curriculum of Tea Management in India

Tea management courses train a student in multiple aspects of the tea industry. These courses basically cover almost the same aspects related to tea production. The curriculum is designed to provide a student with theoretical as well as vocational knowledge of the tea industry.

The exact course curriculum of tea management or tea tasting courses varies by the course. However, some of the subjects included in the curriculum of most tea management colleges in India cover the following.

Career Prospects and Job Opportunities for Tea Management Courses in India

Tea Management has good career prospects in a high tea-producing country like India. Most of the job opportunities for tea management professionals arise in places with tea plantations. However, other areas of the tea industry also have a requirement for candidates with a degree in tea management. Some of the core areas of recruitment of tea management professionals include:

• Tea Plantations / Gardens

• Tea Processing Companies

• Tea Board of India

• Tea Research Associations

• Tea Brokering Houses

• Tea Consulting Firms

• Tea Export Houses etc.

Average Salary Prospects of Tea Management in India

How much a tea management graduate earns depends upon the sector of the industry that they are working in. The following information will provide a good idea to the candidate.

• Entry-level employees or trainees in tea plantations can earn from around. Rs. 8 - 12,000 per month. Experienced professionals in the same sector can cash in Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 30,000 in a month.

• For tea management professionals employed in tea processing and manufacturing industries, the average salary package can range around Rs. 2.5 - 3 LPA. High-level positions in this field can pay Rs. 5 - 6 LPA.

• Projects Scientists and Researchers working with the Tea Board of India earn around Rs. 2.5 - 3.5 LPA.

• Management-level jobs in the same field have a good pay scale. The average salary for administrative or publicity related jobs can reach as high as Rs. 6 - 10+ LPA.

Tea Management is an interesting choice of course to pursue. It is certainly an off-beat course and provides some of the most unique job opportunities in scenic and beautiful locations of India. However, this may not be true for every case.

Candidates interested in taking up tea management courses must note that jobs in this sector mostly require professionals to be on the field. It is an interactive job where a professional may be required to communicate with workers, researchers, plant heads and various other employees in the tea industry. Candidates must also be interested in some basic aspects associated with tea plantation such as botany, geography etc. For such candidates, tea management is a promising career with good job prospects and a relaxed lifestyle.

If you have any other queries regarding tea management education in India, feel free to ask our experts on the CollegeDekho QnA Zone.

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