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South-west Victorian sheep farmers and contractors are in desperate need of wool classers as an industry-wide shortage starts to bite.
\nSouth West TAFE wool classing teacher Stuart MacPherson said there were plenty of well-paid job opportunities for experienced people to work in the field.
\n\u201cThere is a lot of demand from contractors and farmers who are constantly looking for good wool classers,\u201d Mr MacPherson said. \u201cThe demand is quite strong. It\u2019s very hard to find wool classers, especially those of the right calibre who are performing at the required level.
\n\u201cThere are staff shortages across all facets on the industry, but it\u2019s becoming more pronounced with handlers and classers.\u201d
\nSouth West TAFE will deliver a wool classing course starting in early March at Maroona near Ararat.
\nMr MacPherson said the course would provide practical skills as well as theory. \u201cPractical skills are important but classers also need a good theory component as well,\u201d he said.
\nHe added that wool classers must complete the course to get their ticket and provide a valuable service for farmers and buyers.
\n\u201cWool classing is important because when the wool is sold as being classed by a registered wool classer, it gives the buyer an assurance of quality,\u201d he said.
\nThe course will take between nine and 18 months. \u201cIt can be comfortably achieved in nine months if you have the time and are committed to doing the book work,\u201d Mr MacPherson said.
\nClasser and now teacher, Sherri Symons, said the industry was screaming out for wool classers.
\n\u201cThere is a desperate need for contractors to find good classers,\u201d she said. \u201cI frequently get phone calls asking me to do it but I have to tell them I\u2019m now teaching the next generation of wool classers.\u201d
\nMs Symons, who completed the South West TAFE course about 15 years ago, said it gave her a good grounding in the industry and inspired her to travel across Australia in the role.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s an amazing industry to work in,\u201d she said. \u201cOnce you get into the industry and start wool classing, the number of amazing people you meet along the way is phenomenal and it can lead to a lot of career opportunities, especially for young people.\u201d
\nSouth West TAFE is also planning courses in Mortlake and Hamilton later this year and may do a residential course at Glenormiston College in the future.
\nTo find out more about the South West TAFE wool classing course, call 1300 648 911 or visit www.swtafe.edu.au<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
TAFE looking to help fill industry-wide shortage South-west Victorian sheep farmers and contractors are in desperate need of wool classers as an industry-wide shortage starts to bite. South West TAFE wool classing teacher Stuart MacPherson said there were plenty of well-paid job opportunities for experienced people to work in the field. \u201cThere is a […]<\/p>\n