Free online course on Wool and Sustainability

• Free-to-access online course providing extensive knowledge on wool and sustainability for the textile and fashion industry
• Leaders in business, academia and science provide insights into sustainability and sustainable development opportunities through the online learning experience
• The course provides both theory and practical examples of wool and circular design, responsible business models and commercial innovations that accelerate sustainable development with wool.

Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) has launched the first online education course dedicated to sustainability on the Woolmark Learning Centre, providing open access to extensive knowledge on wool, sustainable development and circular design.

The course was developed by industry experts, the Sustainability and Wool course is designed for designers, brands, manufacturers, tertiary students and tutors to support the industry’s move towards less impactful product and business models with wool.

The freely available course provides an introduction into the concepts, frameworks and strategies to support sustainable and restorative business in the textile industry. With a focus on the wool fibre and wool industry, the course provides learners with the theory and practical examples of circular design, regenerative agriculture and manufacturing processes with reduced environmental impacts within the wool supply chain.

AWI’s Chief Executive John Roberts says the course is all about getting more understanding in the textile and fashion industry just how good wool is.

“At a time when many customers around the world are asking for more sustainable fashion the answer is clear - wear Australian wool. The more people who understand that wool is natural, biodegradable, and sustainable the more wool will be sold and that helps Australian woolgrowers”.

“This course explores the key issues and questions relating to sustainable development, legislation, collaborative global goals, and ways to measure and manage our impacts on people and planet,”

said Livia Firth, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Eco-Age. “As a global community we have the opportunity to change how we operate, to responsibly work within the planet’s boundaries, and to respect and protect the people throughout global supply chains.”

“With 80% of the overall impact of a garment defined by the design stage, this course will equip designers and brands with access to information about how they can use wool to meet sustainable development targets and align to sustainability commitments,” said AWI’s General Manager for Processing Innovation & Education Extension, Julie Davies.

Throughout the course learners will explore opportunities and solutions for creating products with a more positive legacy, and how designers and businesses can support consumers to reduce their environmental and social impacts. Industry leaders including Livia Firth, Clare Press, Charles Ross, Leanne Kemp, Dr Stephen Wiedemann and Dr Charles Massy provide exclusive insights into the challenges and opportunities of sustainability in the textile and fashion industry throughout the course.

By completing this course, learners will gain an understanding of sustainability grounded in science and be introduced to the knowledge and tools that will help build resilient businesses during this dynamic, complex time. Once learners complete the course, they will be awarded an independent certification from Credly to include on their digital CVs.

Access the Sustainability and Wool course at www.woolmarklearningcentre.com/program-library/sustainability-program/sustainability-and-wool/

About the Woolmark Learning Centre:

The Woolmark Learning Centre is a web-based hub that houses free world-class educational resources about wool for learners at all levels, including those entering the global textile industry as well as those already in it.

With there never being a better time to learn online, the Woolmark Learning Centre is proving to be very popular for professionals and students all along the textile supply chain with 60,000 users taking advantage of the platform since its launch in mid-December 2019.

On completion of the course, users gain their own certification from the internationally recognised Credly Acclaim digital credential platform, which can be displayed on the user’s own digital professional portfolio such as LinkedIn.

Contact: Kevin Wilde kevin.wilde@wool.com 0436 031 277