Shearer and wool handler training
AWI funds hands-on, practical in-shed training for shearers and wool handlers across the country to attract and retain new entrants into the wool harvesting industry, build the capacity and longevity of existing staff, and increase returns to woolgrowers through improved clip preparation practices.
AWI regularly funds and supports hands-on practical in-shed training for shearers and wool handlers to attract and retain new workers, as well as increase workers’ productivity, skills and professionalism.
AWI-funded trainers carry out the wool harvesting training in New South Wales, Western Australia, Queensland and Tasmania. In Victoria and South Australia, the AWI-funded training is provided by the Shearing Contractors Association of Australia Shearer Woolhandler Training Inc (SCAA SWTI).
Left: Boyup Brook, WA | Center: Urrbrae Agricultural High School, SA | Right: WA College of Agriculture Harvey
Left: Bordertown High School, SA | Center: Hamilton, TAS | Right: Hoban, VIC
Pictured above is a small selection of AWI-funded courses recently run across the country.
See below for a list of training scheduled nationwide for 2024 – more is planned. Programs are subject to change without notice. Keep an eye on the Facebook channels of @australianwoolinnovation (NSW, WA, Qld) and @shearerwoolhandlertraining (Vic, SA, Tas) for the latest updates.
AWI thanks all the woolgrowers who provide their facilities and sheep, and all the other organisations and individuals that lend their time and resources to help run this training.
More information: To arrange training in your state, email craig.french@wool.com or swt@wool.com
2024 SCHEDULED TRAINING
New South Wales
January to June 2024 – dates and locations for the latter six months of the calendar year will be advertised by the end of May.
Contact pauline.smith@tafensw.edu.au for details about the New England TAFE courses.
Contact DubboShearing@tafensw.edu.au for details about the Dubbo TAFE courses.
Contact craig.french@wool.com for details about the other NSW courses.
|
Dates |
Location |
Level |
|
15–19 Jan |
Bookham |
Novice school |
|
5–9 Feb |
Dubbo - TAFE |
Novice school |
|
12–16 Feb |
Dubbo - TAFE |
Novice school |
|
12–23 Feb |
Walbundrie |
Novice school |
|
19–23 Feb |
Canowindra |
Novice school |
|
26–29 Feb |
Canowindra |
Improver |
|
26–29 Feb |
Dubbo - TAFE |
Improver |
|
4–8 March |
Young |
Novice school |
|
11–22 March |
Steam Plains |
Novice school |
|
18–22 March |
Jugiong |
Improver |
|
18–22 March |
Warren |
Improver |
|
8–12 April |
Inverell - TAFE |
Basic shearing |
|
8–12 April |
Dubbo - TAFE |
Improver |
|
15–19 April |
Holbrook |
Improver |
|
29 April – 3 May |
Daysdale |
Improver |
|
29 April – 10 May |
Armidale - TAFE |
Cert II shearing |
|
29 April – 10 May |
Armidale - TAFE |
Cert II wool handling |
|
29 April – 10 May |
Ivanhoe |
Novice school |
|
29 April – 10 May |
Armidale - TAFE |
Cert II shearing |
|
6–10 May |
Cooma |
Novice school |
|
6–10 May |
Dubbo - TAFE |
Novice school |
|
13–17 May |
Cooma |
Novice school |
|
13–17 May |
Dubbo - TAFE |
Novice school |
|
20–24 May |
Glen Innes - TAFE |
Basic shearing |
|
3–7 June |
Dubbo - TAFE |
Improver |
|
17–21 June |
Barraba - TAFE |
Basic shearing |
Victoria
Contact the SCAA SWTI on 1300 787 984 or admin@swti.edu.au for details.
|
Dates |
Location |
Level |
|
15–19 Jan |
Balmoral |
Novice |
|
29 Jan – 2 Feb |
Gymbowen |
Novice |
|
12–16 Feb |
Bendigo |
Novice |
|
26 Feb – 1 March |
Dookie |
Novice |
|
4–8 March |
Dookie |
Improver |
|
15–19 April |
Hamilton |
Novice |
|
6–10 May |
Ballarat |
Novice |
|
17–21 June |
Inglewood |
Improver |
|
1–5 July |
Manangatang |
Novice |
|
8–12 July |
Omeo |
Novice |
|
22–26 July |
Telopea Downs |
Improver |
|
5–9 Aug |
Wycheproof |
Novice |
|
9–13 Sept |
Wedderburn |
Novice |
|
14–18 Oct |
Penshurst |
Novice |
|
11–15 Nov |
Bairnsdale |
Novice |
|
18–22 Nov |
Nathalia |
Novice |
South Australia
Contact Josh Sneath on 0419 176 750 or email jsneath@swti.edu.au for details.
|
Dates |
Location |
Level |
|
22 Jan – 2 Feb |
Konetta |
Improver |
|
5–16 Feb |
Konetta |
Improver |
|
5–9 Feb |
Willalooka |
Novice |
|
19–23 Feb |
Marrabel |
Novice |
|
4–15 March |
Pandurra |
Improver |
|
25–28 March |
Holowiliena |
Improver |
|
8–12 April |
Langhorne Creek |
Novice |
|
6–24 May |
Teetulpa |
Improver |
|
13–17 May |
Cummins |
Novice |
|
13–24 May |
Oakden Hills |
Improver |
|
27 May – 7 June |
Oakden Hills |
Improver |
|
3–7 June |
Jamestown |
Novice |
|
24–28 June |
Streaky Bay |
Novice |
|
1–5 July |
Pinindi |
Novice |
|
5–9 Aug |
Karoonda |
Novice |
|
19–23 Aug |
Ki Ki |
Novice |
|
9–13 Sept |
Yorke Peninsula |
Novice |
|
23–27 Sept |
Roseworthy Campus |
Novice |
|
28 Oct – 1 Nov |
Furner |
Novice |
|
2–6 Dec |
Parndana KI |
Novice |
Western Australia
Contact craig.french@wool.com or valerie.pretzel@wool.com for details. Specific dates in each particular month are still being finalised.
|
Dates |
Location |
Level |
|
Jan |
Boyup Brook |
Novice |
|
Feb |
Boyup Brook |
Novice |
|
March |
Muresk |
CRT workshop |
|
March |
Boyup Brook |
Industry workshop |
|
April |
Boyup Brook |
Novice |
|
May |
Boyup Brook |
Improver |
|
June |
Muresk |
Novice |
|
June |
Muresk |
High school workshop |
|
June |
Muresk |
Industry workshop |
|
June |
Narrogin |
Trainers consistency workshop |
|
July |
Esperance |
Novice |
|
July |
Esperance |
Improver |
|
July |
Badgingarra |
Novice |
|
July |
Badgingarra |
Improver |
|
Aug |
Lake Grace |
Wool handling |
|
Aug |
Lake Grace |
Improver |
|
Aug |
Lake Grace |
Wool handling |
|
Sept |
Great Southern |
Industry workshop |
|
Sept |
Perth |
Royal Perth Show |
|
Oct |
Albany |
Wool handling |
|
Oct |
Boyup Brook |
Novice |
|
Oct |
Katanning |
National Sports Shear |
|
Nov |
Boyup Brook |
Novice |
|
Dec |
Boyup Brook |
Improver |
Queensland
Contact craig.french@wool.com for details.
|
Dates |
Location |
Level |
|
15–19 April |
Tambo AWI/RESQ |
Novice |
|
May (dates TBC) |
St George |
Novice |
|
June (dates TBC) |
Barcaldine |
Improver |
|
2–6 Sept |
Tambo AWI/RESQ |
Novice |
Tasmania
Locky West on 0400 865 631 or email lachlan.west@wool.com for details.
|
Dates |
Location |
Level |
|
5–9 Feb |
Bothwell |
Novice |
|
12–16 Feb |
Bothwell |
Improver |
|
6–10 May |
Ross |
Novice |
|
29 July – 2 Aug |
Fingal |
Improver |
|
5–9 Aug |
Fingal |
Novice |
|
18–22 Nov |
Gretna |
Novice |
This article appeared in the March 2024 edition of AWI’s Beyond the Bale magazine. Reproduction of the article is encouraged.
