Shearer and wool handler training
AWI is maximizing the return to woolgrowers by boosting the number of trained shearers and wool handlers across the nation. A continuing focus for 08-09 is the development of skilled wool handlers through the “Skilled Wool Handler Training Program.
- Introduction
- Strategies
- National coordination
- National training resources
- Training arrangements
- Contact
Introduction
Australian Wool Innovation Limited (AWI) is investing $1.4 million for 2008-09 as part of the 2007-10 national shearer and wool handler training program.
The program aims to:
- support improved national coordination of shearer and wool handler training;
- facilitate the development of national training resources;
- support improved training arrangements for the training of shearers and wool handlers;
- establish a national program to provide professional development for trainers and coaches; and
- Maintain a national project advisory panel for wool harvesting training.
Strategies
“Attraction / retention”
- Leveraging additional government funding.
- A “Skilled Wool Handler” program.
- Provide world-class resources.
- Promote career paths.
- Traineeship promotion.
“Capacity building”
- Quality of trainers - National Consistency Workshops.
- Quality and relevance of resources – Continued development.
- Mentoring program and development of leadership capacity.
- Regional Coaching for shearers.
“Profitability”
- Working collaboratively with other industry bodies to lift the standard of clip preparation.
- Influence wool clip preparation standards by focusing industry on skill requirements within wool handler training program.
“Government funding and support for shearer / wool handler training”
- The promotion of traineeships, both new and existing workers, in the industry.
- Lobbying for changes in the way training is monitored by government.
- Developing preferred supplier relationships with RTOs
Size and Scope
- AWI is providing $1.4 million in the 2008/2009
- At this level of AWI funding, expected government funding will be approximately $4.5million.
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National coordination
AWI has established a national project advisory panel (PAP) for shearer and wool handler training, which is supported by state-based panels.
The state-based panels have developed action plans for the training delivery component of the program to oversee and monitor all shearer and wool handler training within each state.
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National training resources
During the previous four years training program AWI, with help from a number of contributing organizations and contractors, developed a series of interactive training DVD’s and innovative hard copy resources. By providing these resources AWI is seeking to provide tools for trainers and industry that allow targeted training to met the individuals training needs. These resources are also designed to met the literacy level of many in the wool harvesting industry.
These DVD resources are:
- Novice Shearing – Training for your future
- Improver/Professional Shearing – Refining your skills
- Wool Handling and Shed Skills – Making it easier
- Experting and Grinding - Obtaining the best from your gear
- Wool Industry Workouts - Exercise for shearers & wool handlers
- Crutching Techniques - Improving Productivity
Copies of the completed DVD's have been distributed through Registered Training Organisations (RTO's). They are also available by contacting AWI directly.
Three Hard Copy Resources:
• Are you getting a cut? – Poster Guide to Grinding and Sharpening Combs and Cutters
• The Five Pillars of Shearing – Flip booklet outlining Shearing Principles and Positions
• A Team Approach to Wool Handling – Flip booklet outline Wool Handling Principles
These resources are available for downloading by clicking on the link above
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Training arrangements
The training delivery is undertaken by contracted Registered Training Organisation (RTOs) in each state. Shearing Contractors, Woolgrowers and individuals are encouraged to give the following contracts a call to arrange training:
|
State
|
Training Provider
|
Contact
|
Phone
|
|
Qld
|
AACC
|
Jo Sheppard
|
0428 536 183
|
|
NSW
|
Western Institute of TAFE
|
David Crean
|
0419 422 340
|
|
Vic
|
SCAA
|
Stuart Grigg
|
0427 857 212
|
|
Tas
|
TAFE Tasmania
|
Luke Griffiths
|
0407 060 970
|
|
SA
|
TAFE SA
|
Bob Reid
|
0427 604 255
|
|
WA
|
CY O’Connor TAFE
|
Stephen Madson
|
0409 080 243
|
Training provided by AWI funding will focus on up skilling the workforce in all aspects of efficient clip preparation, shearing technique and quality control to maximize woolgrower returns.
A range of training delivery methods will be used to up skill the existing wool harvesting workforce, which includes:
Shearer Training
Regional Coaching
Regional Coaching is designed to offer professional shearers help and guidance on shearing techniques to increase both productivity and efficiency. It is delivered either in working sheds or in dedicated environments.
Improver Workshops in dedicated training environments
Contractor Team Training
Targets individual teams to lift awareness of improved techniques to improve efficiency and quality to increase returns to growers. and also to promote a training culture.
This initiative seeks to engage with, and bring contractors and their teams to, central locations for training. Training is delivered in “field day” format. This training will focus on;
- Productivity and performance.
- Shearing techniques and vulnerable points.
- Shearing fitness.
Wool Handler Training
AWI “Skilled Wool Handler”
This program seeks to lift the quality of the Australian wool clip by providing training, both in operating wool sheds and/or dedicated training facilities that provide wool handlers with practical skills. A training methodology, the Four Pillars of Wool handling, has been developed to focus training on: Teamwork, Technique, Timing and Temperament.
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Evaluation
AWI continues to ensure that the program is effectively evaluated. Given the move towards a skilled wool handler program, evaluation will firstly focus on ensuring that wool handler training and its assessment meets AWI expectations and that AWI has confidence in successful trainees. A second evaluation priority is to further develop and refine “Indicators of Success” and the panel survey process so that objectives can be assessed.
Professional Development
AWI sees that it is vitally important that the Wool Harvesting Industry has the capacity to become more professional. This relies on developing leadership capacity within this sector.
National Consistency Workshops (NCW)
Workshops will be delivered each year of the program, targeting 120 or more wool harvest coaches/trainers This “train the trainer” program are open to coaches, both shearer and wool handlers, from any RTO that is delivering training in the wool harvesting industry
Shearing and Wool handler Competitions
It is envisaged that AWI’s involvement in a nationally based competition will have a lasting effect on the quality of the national clip. By encouraging high-level skills, competitions ultimately lead to better returns to growers.
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Contact
Joe Sullivan
Program Manager
Tel (02) 8295 3100
Email: joesullivan@woolinnovation.com
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