The initial intake of 60 shearers and wool handlers for WOMOlife’s pilot programme A Life in Wool have enrolled, with the first course aimed at upskilling current industry workers.
The in-shed programme for the course starts on May 10 at Tautane Station near Herbertville.
Station manager James Gunson is looking forward to welcoming the first residential course to Tautane.
“We have ideal facilities for training and alongside WOMOlife’s fully-funded training programme; this is a fantastic opportunity for local shearers and wool handlers to improve and refresh their skills for the greater good of the industry,” Gunson said.
NZ Shearing Contractors Association (NZSCA) president Mark Barrowcliffe is excited to see the new model roll-out.
“This brings together the best of online and in-shed training for the industry, with some amazing trainers chosen to teach and coach our next generation,” Barrowcliffe said.
“It is also great to see a focus on health, wellbeing, nutrition and financial literacy, combined with the best movement practices and technical skills to promote success in the shed and in life.”
The head trainers for the courses are Justin Bell (shearing), Carmen Smith (wool handling) and Laura Hancock (health, exercise and nutrition).
Demand for the programme has been strong, with half of the 120 upskill target achieved in Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay alone. Applications are still being processed for future courses.
Fully-funded courses for new entrants to the industry will begin in September.
WOMOlife stands for work wise, move wise. At its core it stands for teaching wool handlers and shearers to work wiser and move wiser to secure a career in wool for a more sustainable life.
The upskill and new entrant courses combine online video courses with wool shed training and movement coaching to promote faster learning.
The online model allows shearers and wool handlers the flexibility to access videos anytime, anywhere and means if they want to refer to the training while on the job, they can do so.
