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; increase workers’ productivity, skills and professionalism; and increase returns to woolgrowers through improved clip preparation practices.
AWI continues to regularly fund and support hands-on practical in-shed training for shearers and wool handlers – pictured below is a small selection of AWI-funded courses recently run across the country.
In addition to funding novice training, AWI also has a focus on retaining workers who have already embarked on a career in the industry. Three years ago, AWI introduced a project to equip learner shearers with an ‘AWI Learner Shearer Toolbox’ containing a handpiece and other shearing gear, subject to the shearer passing certain criteria.
“The AWI toolbox provides an extra incentive for budding shearers to build up their skills and stay in the industry,” said AWI National Manager, Wool Harvesting Training & Careers Development, Craig French.
“Since the project was launched, AWI has issued 540 toolkits to learner shearers who have taken up shearing full time. The initiative has clearly played a large part in retaining learner shearers – our analysis shows that 100% of learner shearers that were issued with a learner toolkit in 2023/24 have stayed in the industry.
“Furthermore, the feedback from shearing contractors is that they are pleased with AWI’s toolkit initiative and would like the company to continue investing in it in the future.”
AWI-funded trainers carry out 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).
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:
www.wool.com/harvestingtraining
To arrange training in your state, email craig.french@wool.com or swt@wool.com.
Keep an eye on the Facebook channels of @australianwoolinnovation (NSW, WA, Qld) and @shearerwoolhandlertraining (Vic, SA, Tas) for the latest updates.
Ballan, VIC
Teetulpa, SA
Holowiliena, SA
Oakden Hills, SA
Eulong, Vic
Muresk, WA
Cooma, VIC
Northampton, WA
Tenison Woods College, Mount Gambier, SA
Kulin, WA
Inglewood, VIC
Crookwell, NSW
More shearer trainers trained
PHOTOS: Sol Media
The future of shearer training in Australia looks bright following a two-day workshop held in June for potential new AWI in-shed shearer trainers.
At the workshop, some of the best young shearers in the country were taught by experienced master trainers from Australia and New Zealand. A mix of innovative and new techniques along with the tried and proven were passed on by the master trainers to the next generation of trainers coming through.
The level of experience at the workshop was supreme with participants collectively having achieved three World Championship wins, 60 Trans-Tasman tests, almost 20 National titles, 40 State titles, nine shearing records and about 600 Open competition wins.
As well as Australian master trainers from AWI and SCAA SWTI passing on their skills, three trainers from New Zealand crossed the ditch as part of the exchange program with New Zealand’s Elite Wool Industry Training. This exchange program ensures consistency of shearer training across the Tasman.
Thanks to AJ & PA McBride for the use of their new shed at Telopea Downs.
This article appeared in the September 2024 edition of AWI’s Beyond the Bale magazine. Reproduction of the article is encouraged.
