Training Resources for Shearers & Woolhandlers
Providing free training for novice, improver and professional shearers and woolhandlers we work to promote best practise in wool harvesting through our regional coaching program and extensive training resources.
Shearers and woolhandlers are central to the success of the Australian wool industry and the proficiency and expertise of shearers and woolhandlers is an important focus for the industry.
Providing free training for novice, improver and professional shearers and woolhandlers we work to promote best practise in wool harvesting through our regional coaching program and extensive training resources.
Since 2015, we have facilitated close to 4000 shearer and wool handler training days to 17,000 people, delivered through AWI-funded programs.
Stand and Deliver - Shear-Jitsu training videos
Shear-Jitsu a shearing technique developed by Pera Davies. After suffering a number of back injuries Pera began incorporating the technique of Ju-Jitsu – a form of martial arts – with his shearing and found that this prevented shearing injuries, especially with the catch-and-drag movement.
Training Resources
AWI works on behalf of the wool industry to fund training for improver/professional shearers and wool handlers, and improve delivery of all funded training to novices and learners.
We have produced the following series of training videos to help advance the skills of novice, improver and professional shearers and woolhandlers. Good training is essential for new and experienced people working in shearing sheds. The aim of these videos is to promote better techniques and improve clip preparation practices in the industry.
The videos cover all aspects of wool harvesting and are a complete reference guide for shearers, woolhandlers and shed hands, woolgrowers, instructors and students working in various areas of wool harvesting.
Packed with tips, hints and practical advice, the videos include interviews with experienced shearers, woolhandlers and wool classers.
Equipment
Shearing Positions
- The Long blow - position and control
- The Long blow - Instructions
- The Long blow - Demonstration
- Neck and shoulder - position and control
- Neck and shoulder - instructions
- Neck and shoulder - demonstration
- Belly - position and control
- Belly - instructions
- Belly - demonstration
- 1st hind leg - position and control
- 1st hind leg - instructions
- 1st hind leg - demonstration
- The neck last side - position and control
- The neck last side - instructions
- The neck last side - demonstration
- The last side - position and control
- The last side - instructions
- The last side - demonstration
Tips
Multi Angle Guide
INTERVIEWS
Catch and Drag
Merino Lambs
Plain Merino
Wethers
Crossbred Ewes
CROSSBRED LAMBS
Belly to Top Knot
Top Knot to Long Blow
Long Blow to Finish
ROUGHNECK BOTTOM SIDE
The Belly
Crutch and Flank
First Hind Leg and Undermine
Top Knot
Neck
First Shoulder
Long Blow
Last Side Neck and Shoulder
Last Side and Release
ROUGHNECK TOP SIDE
Belly to Top Knot
Top Knot to Long Blow
Long Blow to Finish
FINE WOOL
Belly and Crutch
Flank First Hind Leg and Undermine
Top Knot Neck and First Shoulder
Neck Long Blow
Neck Shoulder and Last Side
INTERVIEWS
CRUTCHING TRAILER
Setting Up the Trailer
Setting Up the Stand - Board
Setting Up the Stand - Trailer
Gear & Maintenance
Fine Tuning the Cradle
CATCH AND DRAG
Dwayne Black
Matt Alexander
Trailer
INTERVIEWS
Matt Alexander
Glenn Schofield
Michael Schofield
Catch and Drag - Performance Comparison
VUNERABLE AREAS
Introduction
Eyes Ears and Horns
Hamstrings
Pizzles
Teats and Milk Veins
Vulvas
Catch and Drag - Sloping Catching Pens
CRUTCHING - EWES
Full Crutch Wig and Slab - Board
Full Crutch Wig and Slab - Trailer
Full Crutch and Wig - Board
Full Crutch and Wig - Trailer
Light Crutch - Board
Light Crutch - Trailer
CRUTCHING - WETHERS
Wig, Ring and Light Crutch - Board
Wig, Ring and Light Crutch - Trailer
Ring and Bung - Board
Ring and Bung - Trailer
CRUTCHING - LAMBS
Market Crutch - Board
Market Crutch - Trailer
Crutching Non-Mulesed Sheep
GETTING A START
Code of Practice - Point of View: Mark Grave
Discrimination & Harassment - Point of View: John Hutchinson
Workplace Relations - Point of View: Sam Beechey
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Point of View: Wool Classer, Frank Roberts
Point of View: Wool Handler, Angela Wakeley
Point of View: Wool Presser, Evan Frankham
ARRIVING AT THE SHED
Occupational Health and Safety
The Shed and Environment
Understanding Occupational Health and Safety
GETTING PREPARED
CONTAMINATION
Point of View: Judy Turk
Point of View: Mark Grave
Point of View: Frank Roberts
PENNING UP
Gates
Facilities
Pen Types
Draw Sheep
Smothering
Cut Outs
Rams
WOOL PREPARATION
Training Exercises
Good Work Practices
Poor Work Practices
Point of View: Work Flow
Picking Up & Throwing
Picking Up a Fleece with Eileen Philipson
Picking Up a Fleece with Jim Murray
Point of View: Teamwork
Skirting Technique
Wool Rolling
Efficient Skirting Demo
Heavy Burr
Round Table Skirting
Brands
ODDMENT PREPARATION
Crutching
Crossbreds
Fly Blown
Water Stain
Lambs - Board Preparation
Lambs - Table Preparation
Premature Shearing
Handling Oddment Butts
Board Duties
PRESSING
Overlength Bales
Recording & Branding
SUPERFINE PREPARATION
Industry Points of View
The Buyer
The Broker
Quality Assurance
The Grower
The Wool Classer
Setting Up the Board
Superfine Clip Preparation
Fleece Preparation
Tender Fleece Preparation
Board Duties
Oddment Preparation
DWAYNE BLACK
Introduction
Physical Aspects
Young Shearers
Types of Exercises
On the Job Exercises
EXERCISES
Hamstrings
Quadriceps
Shoulder & Chest
Wrist Exercises
Back Exercises
SARAH CUNNINGHAM
Introduction
Wrist & Arm
Physical Aspects
Neck Exercises
Back Exercises
Before & After Work
STEPHAN MILOSAVLJEVIC
Introduction
Starting Shearers
Preparing for a Career
Background
Reducing Injury Risk
Wool Handling
Booklets
- The Five Pillars of Shearing - flip booklet outlining shearing principles and positions (PDF 3.7Mb).
- The Four Pillars of Wool Handling - flip booklet outlining wool handling principles (PDF 2.12Mb).
Pillar posters for the woolshed
- Are you getting a cut? - poster guide to grinding and sharpening combs and cutters (PDF 3.9Mb).
- The Five Pillars of Shearing - poster outlining shearing principles and positions (PDF 745Kb).
- The Four Pillars of Wool Handling - poster outlining wool handling principles (PDF 868Kb).
Pillar Posters - order a free set of the three Pillar Posters for your own shed:
- Call the AWI Helpline on 1800 070 099.
- Download the Pillar Posters order form (PDF 89Kb), complete and fax it to AWI at (02) 8295 4155.
Code of conduct woolshed poster
- Call the AWI Helpline on 1800 070 099 for a free A2 size poster
- Download (PDF 173Kb)
AWI/SCAA learning videos 2020
Back to Basics - Grinding tips with Pope
Back to Basics - Grinder Setup with Nathan Fidler
Back to Basics - Grinder Setup with AWI Trainer "Pope"
Mel Morris and Rachael Hutchison - Part 1 - Sport Shear Australia Wool Handling Competition Tips
Mel Morris and Rachael Hutchison Part 2 - Sport Shear Australia Wool Handling Tips
Mel Morris and Rachael Hutchison Part 5 - Sport Shear Australia Wool Handling Tips
Next Level Elite Athlete Mentoring with Stewart McCully - Part 1
Next Level Elite Athlete Mentoring with Stewart McCully - Part 2
Sportshear competition tips - Part 1
Sportshear competition tips - Part 2
Sportshear competition tips - Part 3
Sportshear competition tips - Part 4
Setting up Emery Papers with Nathan Fidler and little helpers
Further Information
The videos are also available to shearers, wool handlers, trainers and woolgrowers from AWI on a free USB by calling AWI on 1800 070 099
Training Courses
Our Novice Courses are designed for learner shearers to provide a solid introduction to the Wool Harvesting industry and create a pathway to obtaining ongoing employment.
