Free Shearer Training Opportunity for Job Seekers and School Leavers

The Wool Works Shearing School, with a participant supervised by a veteran shearer.

Job seekers and school leavers have an exciting opportunity to acquire shearing and crutching skills in January 2021, according to Regional Development Australia Northern Inland Executive Director Nathan Axelsson.

“Our Wool Works Shearing School, together with TAFE New England are conducting two free five-day courses: 11 to 15 January in Inverell and 18 to 22 January in Glen Innes and I encourage anybody who might be interested to register by calling the TAFE campuses in either location,” he said.

“We secured funding from the Commonwealth Government and TAFE NSW to make these two courses possible. They are ideally suited to anyone who has finished school in 2020, any job seekers or any adults out there who are interested in learning or improving their shearing and wool handling skills.”

The Wool Works Shearing School delivers entirely hands-on, non-classroom training. It utilises the expertise of fully qualified trainers, veteran shearers and a District Vet, who are passionate about the wool industry and its skills needs.  

“We’ve run a number of these schools over recent years specifically for secondary school students but on this occasion, we wanted to run some shearing schools to upskill job seekers,” Mr. Axelsson said.  

“There is a real shortage of shearers and rural workers generally at the moment. So, these skills can genuinely translate to employment,” he said. “Shearing and crutching are skills in demand and once qualified, you can earn $300 a day. It’s work that can result in travel as well as good paying jobs in the local area.”  

“Shearing skills also open up the door to many other job opportunities that are out there in the agricultural sector, which is the highest employment sector in our regions. The rewards are there for people who are willing to come along and give it a go.”

“This course will show potential employers that you have basic training in the rural sector but just as importantly, the drive to learn and work that employers want to see.”

“Places are limited, so register as soon as possible,” Mr Axelsson urged.

To register for the course at Inverell TAFE call: 131 601

To register for the course at Glen Innes call TAFE: 6768 2323