Educating wool’s next generation
AWI is involved in a range of initiatives to encourage the younger generation into the wool industry. Reported here is a snapshot of some of the AWI-supported initiatives undertaken in the past few months.
LEADAg Plus program, Longreach
In Queensland, AWI supported the LEADAg Plus program, developed and delivered by CHRRUP. Amongst other activities, the 18-30 year olds in the two-week program experienced the steps involved in wool harvesting, wool classing and sheep handling thanks to trainers from AWI and property hosts Scott Counsell of ‘Lyndon’ at Barcaldine and Mick Campbell of ‘Bimerah’ at Stonehenge.
Discover Ag 2024, Sydney
AWI took part in the foremost agricultural careers expo in Australia, Discover Ag 2024, run by the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW in June at the Sydney Showground. It was a great chance to get in front of 700 secondary school students in Years 8-12 to showcase the wide range of career opportunities open to them in the wool industry.
Sheep Week, Crookwell
As part of the Australian Agricultural Centre’s Sheep Week in June, AWI presented Learn About Wool lessons to young students from several primary schools in the Southern Tablelands and Canberra regions.
WA Young Sheep Handlers Expo, Perth
Attended by AWI, the inaugural WA Young Sheep Handlers Expo was held at Claremont Showgrounds in Perth during two days in July. The young participants deepened their knowledge of sheep and wool – nutrition, behaviour, biosecurity, handling, purpose and much more – and left with an understanding of the various career pathways in the industry.
Young people can learn about career opportunities in the wool industry at www.learnaboutwool.com/careers-hub
This article appeared in the September 2024 edition of AWI’s Beyond the Bale magazine. Reproduction of the article is encouraged.
