Training

Shearer and Wool Handler Training
WoolProducers Australia is a member of the National Project Advisory Panel (PAP) for Shearer and Wool Handler Training. The PAP is supported by state based panels, whose role is to develop action plans for the training delivery component of the program and to oversee and monitor all shearer and wool handler training within each state.

The Australian Wool Innovation Shearer and Wool Handler Training 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.

The Shearer and Wool Handler Training program has four main strategies:

1. Attraction and retention

leveraging additional government funding
a “Skilled Wool Handler” program
provide world-class resources
promote career paths
further developing and engaging industry in the Harvest Trail concept
traineeship promotion

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

Further information:
Shearer and Wool Handler Training
Shearing Safety

National Mulesing Assurance Program
Whilst the industry has committed to phase out mulesing by 2010 and is investing millions of dollars to find the right alternatives, it is also working to improve the standard of mulesing undertaken in the interim through the National Mulesing Accreditation Program (NMAP).

The NMAP was instigated by WoolProducers Australia and reflects the commitment made by the Australian wool industry to international retailers to promote increased training.

The NMAP has been developed to ensure mulesing operators are trained and assessed to a national standard. The national standard will provide assurance to processors and retailers in the wool trade that we manage our livestock with world’s best practice.

The Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals – the Sheep provides the guidelines for best practice. The NMAP Best Practice Manual has been developed in line with this Code and in conjunction with WoolProducers Australia, the Livestock Contractors Association and the Australian Veterinary Association.

The aim is for all livestock contractors to be accredited by 31 December 2006 and all owner operators who mules by 31 December 2008. There are currently approximately 700 trained contractors and owner operators.

WPA in conjunction with Animal Health Australia, is offering all producers who undertake the NMAP will receive a rebate of $110.

Further information:
National Mulesing Assurance Program

Kondinin Workboot Series for Wool

A key concern of WPA for some time has been the lack of educational opportunities available to children in our schools involving agriculture.

The wool industry’s story is important and includes the significant contribution it has made to Australia’s development as a nation, both economically and culturally. However, these messages are no longer given the high priority they once were and much of this relates to a lack of appropriate learning materials and resources in our schools.

In the absence of such knowledge and the provision of balanced arguments to our young people, there are some in the community who are prepared to spread misinformation instead, to the detriment of our industry and Australia.

The lack of connection with rural industries has the potential consequence of young people not seeing agriculture, and in our case wool, as a viable long term career opportunity.

WoolProducers Australia is addressing these concerns by re-launching the wool version of the popular Kondinin Workboot Series for Wool. The Workboot Series is a collection of high quality, innovative books featuring Australian farming industries and the story of food and clothing from the farm to market.

Workboot books take an educational and entertaining look at modern Australian farming, which is explained in a way that people of all ages and walks of life can discover where our food and clothing comes from and why agriculture is so important to our daily lives.

The books mix a detailed and lively text with full colour photographs, and feature the cheeky cartoon character Blunnie the Workboot, guiding the reader through each chapter.

The Workboot series is pitched primarily at the 10-13 age groups, however, they are a very useful resource to anyone in the community wishing to find out more about agriculture. Also being developed is a school teacher’s resource kit, to help teachers plan a term's work across the key learning areas with little preparation.

This project could not occur without the support of our valued partners, who include the Federal Government through the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry, Australian Wool Innovation, the Australian Wool Education Trust and Animal Health Australia.

Workboot is being produced on behalf of the industry by the Kondinin Group, and is expected to be launched in late 2008.

Further information:
Kondinin Workboot Series

Training Competencies

The Agri-Food Industry Skills Council (AFISC) seeks to sustain and enhance high-quality, nationally-recognised training products and services for the agri-food industry.

AFISC represents the broad interests of all agri-food industry sectors through its 14 member board and 5 industry standing committees. WPA is a member of the Rural and Related Industries Standing Committee and provides input on behalf of the Australian wool industry.

AFISC is responsible for the development and implementation of nine agri-food industry training packages:

Amenity Horticulture Training Package
Animal Care and Management Training Package
Australian Meat Industry Training Packages
Conservation and Land Management Training Package
Food Processing Industry Training Package
Racing Industry Training Package
Rural Production Training Package
Seafood Industry Training Package
Sugar Milling Training Package

Further information:
Agrifood Skills Council

Australian Wool Textile Training Centre

The Australian Wool Textile Training Centre (AWTTC) was developed in 2006 in response to the identified need for more training and skills development worldwide in wool textiles.

The centre offers courses ranging from on farm through to retail, and involves presentations from industry practitioners, researchers and educationalists, with a focus on practical training. A number of Executive members and staff of WoolProducers Australia have attended courses through AWTTC.

Further information:
Australian Wool Industry Textile Training Centre

Animal Health Australia

One of Animal Health Australia’s (AHA) core activities has been the facilitation and delivery of training in support of the Emergency Animal Disease Response Agreement. Through participation in a range of training activities, WoolProducers Australia on behalf of the Australian wool industry can ensure that they have sufficient trained personnel to participate in the management of an emergency disease incident.

More recently AHA has expanded the range of training products available and has agreed to manage a number of additional training projects that will assist in achieving the objectives of the National Animal Health strategy for example biosecurity training.

Further information:

Animal Health Australia