Dr Sissons launched three micro-credentials – ‘Introduction to the Woolshed’, ‘Learner Wool Handler’, and ‘Learner Shearer’ – at the Primary Industries Summit in Wellington on Monday afternoon.
The courses are bite-sized pieces of learning, aimed at recognising or teaching specific workplace skills on the job in a short time.
“What makes the issue so pressing, and why the wool industry is one of the first to have micro-credentials being released, is that right now there are no recognised industry qualifications available in New Zealand for shearers and wool handlers,” Sissons said.
“This is incredibly important for the wool industry but it’s also an example of one of the future directions of training for all primary industries.”
The number of shearers working in New Zealand is projected to grow by 3.7%, increasing to around 2428 workers in 2026.
Sissons said with job openings forecast to grow in wool harvesting in the coming years, training will be critical as New Zealand faces competition from overseas for shearers and wool handlers.
Micro-credentials are a game-changer for primary industries, she said. They are bite-sized but officially recognised and overseen by New Zealand’s education system.
“One of the things we know about our industries is that they’re all crying out for people. Preferably already skilled but if not, they’re prepared to invest to develop the skills they need on the job.
“The real shift we’re working on is the focus on skills rather than big up-front qualifications. A micro-credential puts the emphasis on ‘just in time’ learning, rather than a lengthy ‘just in case’ qualification.”
Primary ITO’s general manager of business and industry partnerships, Andrea Leslie, said despite the current absence of recognised entry-level wool harvesting qualifications, people do learn on the job from their more experienced colleagues – but the micro-credentials will help provide a base level of skills and a qualification to demonstrate to future employers that they have those skills.
“Formal qualifications will provide sheep farmers with much greater surety.”
Leslie, who runs a 300-hectare sheep and beef farm in South Canterbury, said Primary ITO has worked closely with farmers to ensure the courses align with industry need.
“The micro-credentials target specific skill sets.
“Through our Industry Partner Groups, we have talked with farmers about what is most pressing for them and then built courses around that.”
Other Primary ITO micro-credentials include one on biosecurity, where pilot programmes have already run. The wool courses are between 19 and 28 credits at Level 2, representing approximately a month of total learning, practising, and assessment.
The cost is $200 per course.
“They mean businesses can bring on new workers and ensure they develop essential skills for the woolshed before investing in further training,” Sissons said.
“It also recognises that shearing gangs move around a lot – workers can learn wherever they are and fit it in whenever best suits the job.”
Primary ITO is this year developing a full suite of wool harvesting programmes, in addition to the micro-credentials, which are expected to be launched in 2020.
“This is just the start,” Leslie said.
“We’d like to hear from anyone who wants to find out more about these programmes or is interested in helping us develop others in the future.”
