Regional Institute of Wine and Oil

IRVO, 12 NEW ENTRIES: QUALITY CONTROL AND CERTIFICATIONS OF OLIVE OIL AND WINE STRENGTHENED

The relaunch of certified production and the agri-food heritage of the Island passes through the strengthening of the workforce (+50 active resources), technologies and research

 

Protecting the quality of Sicilian wine and olive oil, supporting businesses, and promoting research and development on national and international markets are some of the main functions of theRegional Institute of Wine and Oil, the instrumental public body of the Sicilian Region and of theDepartment of Agriculture, Rural Development and Mediterranean Fisheries, a true point of reference for the island's wine and olive oil sectors. IRVO expands its resources with 12 new employees which enter into force within the various competences of the Institute, to cover the staff who progressively reach retirement age.

«IRVO is taking a decisive step towards strengthening its position – explains Giusi Mistretta, IRVO Special Commissioner – This isn't just about 12 new hires, but the influx of skills, energy, and professionalism that will help shape the future of the public institution. IRVO is undergoing a period of profound renewal. We are investing in modernizing our laboratories, in technological innovation, in the quality of our services, and in promoting Sicilian products. We are adding a fundamental element: strengthening our human resources, essential for meeting the challenges ahead. This is the path we intend to pursue, placing IRVO at the service of businesses, quality products, and Sicily.

«One year after the competition with 2,547 candidates – highlights the IRVO director Vito Bentivegna We have confirmed the hiring of 12 employees who will collaborate in various areas of our institute. IRVO has been active in the wine sector since 1950 and in the olive oil sector since 2011. Today, it plays a strategic role in Sicily in supporting businesses and promoting quality products. With these new professionals, we will exceed 50 active human resources at IRVO, an expansion that contributes to the growth, speed, and efficiency of all our commitments. We are aiming for further development, consistent with the available resources of the PIAO, the Integrated Plan of Activities and Organization.

Among the crucial activities in which the new resources will be involved is the control and certification of protected designation wines and oils. IRVO verifies compliance with production specifications, the origin of raw materials, production processes, traceability, and the chemical and organoleptic characteristics of products. The professionals will be integrated into accredited laboratories for the analysis of grapes, musts, wines, olives, and oils, providing useful tools to ensure safety, regulatory compliance, and product quality.

Thanks to the new skills, IRVO's experimental activities will be enhanced as it evolves and collaborates with universities, consortia, and scientific centers to develop cultivation, processing, and conservation techniques, improve production processes, and gain a deeper understanding of the characteristics of Sicilian cultivars. The newly hired employees will also support Sicilian companies with certification procedures, labeling, and technological innovation.

In addition to collaborating in IRVO's control and research functions, IRVO's human resources coordinate events, masterclasses, meetings with buyers, internationalization initiatives, and projects related to the development of wine and olive oil tourism.