CRITICAL labour shortages in the shearing industry prompted the delivery of a free two-week shearing course held recently at Epasco Farms, Condingup, 80 kilometres east of Esperance.
The course was the first of its kind held in the region and aimed to foster an interest in the shearing industry.
With a focus on young people, the course encouraged them to consider professional shearing as a viable and rewarding career choice.
A joint collaboration between Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) and The Association for Sheep Husbandry, Excellence, Evaluation and Production (ASHEEP), the course ran for two weeks from July 1 and provided participants with shearing and shed hand training.
Basil Parker, course co-ordinator and ASHEEP committee member, said the "red light was flashing" for the industry, with a shortage of shearers and empty stands during peak shearing times.
"This prompted ASHEEP to begin talks with AWI to see how we could proactively work together to address the critical shortage of shearers," Mr Parker said.
In his role as ASHEEP course co-ordinator, he provided the on-ground support and organised the course logistics.
This included sourcing experienced industry trainers, ensuring the training was relevant and was delivered to an approved industry standard.
The course was designed as a kick starter to the shearing industry.
"If we can find young people willing to give shearing a go, then we thought the two week course would give the students a good taste of shearing and help them see it as a worthwhile career," Mr Parker said.
He said the support of farming enterprises and shearing contractors was a vital part of the course success.
Mr Parker said the aim, following the completion of the course, was to place students in shearing sheds with various contractors who would perform a mentoring role and to assist students find employment in the industry.
AWI provided full financial backing for the course so it was free to the 14 participating students.
The support included covering the daily bus transport from Esperance to Epasco Farms, the cost of trainers, support material, equipment and meals for the students.
AWI chief executive officer Stuart McCullough said initiatives such as the shearing course were a key part of AWI's aim to support the industry.
"It is a key function of AWI's vision to help guarantee that human resources are restocked," Mr McCullough said.
"This will help ensure that the industry is adequately equipped to safeguard its prosperity not just for the next two years, but for the next 10 and well into the future."
Collaboration with other local groups such as Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation and Max Employment Esperance helped with the course's success.
The input of the groups was an important part of the project as they supported local young people, giving them an opportunity to try their hand at shearing and learn some skills that would give them an entry point into the industry.
Highly respected shearing industry trainers including Todd Wegner, Heiniger Western Australia territory sales manager, Kevin Gellatly, Australian Shearers Hall of Fame, Amanda Davis, AWI wool handling trainer and Darren Spencer, Western Australian Shearing Industry Association president who were on hand, working on a one-to-one basis with the students.
"It was a good chance to learn with some good trainers like Todd and Kevin," said Conway Clinch, 19, Esperance.
"They made it easy to pick up some tips and taught me a lot.
"I'm looking forward to working in shearing once I've finished the course."
The students were also coached on other important life skills such as budgeting and managing finances.
Tamara Virgo, TV Financial Services, gave a presentation to the students on budgeting and managing personal finances so they would be well equipped to manage their income when they were employed.
The students also listened to presentations from retired shearers and farmers who started their working lives by treading the boards of the shearing shed.
Beaumont farmer Ian Mickle hoped that sharing his story would encourage young people into the industry.
"If we can share our stories and tell people how being a shearer helped us along the way and promote shearing as a valuable, successful and attractive career then hopefully we can encourage more young people to enter the industry," Mr Mickle said.
ASHEEP and AWI are planning to build on the success of the inaugural shearing school with more workshops planned in the future.
