WORKING with wool has been a rewarding career choice for Sophie Cameron from Hawkesdale in the western district.
The 21-year-old runs a Merino flock and a crossbred lamb enterprise with her parents as well as working as a qualified wool classer.
For the past 18 months Miss Cameron has taught Certificate 2 in Wool handling through RIST, Rural Industries Skill Training, and says it's a career path in agriculture where there are plenty of opportunities for young people.
"There is a real shortage of workers in the shearing industry," Miss Cameron said.
"The average age of a shearer is around 55 and at the moment there aren't enough young ones coming up through the ranks to replace retiring shearers.
"Wool classing and shearing are really important parts of the agriculture industry so it's crucial to get young people involved and aware of their opportunities."
"In some farming families the kids aren't staying on the farm and are pursuing other careers."
Generally, depending on the student's prior experience, Certificate 2 in Wool Handling through RIST is delivered in a six-day workshop.
Miss Cameron said the course takes place on the property of a sheep farmer in the district where the students live.
"Property owners offer the use of their shed as well as 500 sheep to be shorn," she said.
"This works well for both the property owners and the students.
"The sheep are shorn for free and the students get the opportunity to be taught at a high standard."
Miss Cameron said there were several benefits to running the course on a property close to the students.
"Running the course in the same district means the students have the opportunity to shear very similar types of sheep to the ones they will be shearing in the area, once they are qualified. It also helps them to develop contacts and support within their district.
"It also means they don't have to travel a long distance to complete the training."
RIST has been running the course since 1992 and while there is a shortage of workers in the industry, student numbers for the course have doubled.
In 2007 RIST started delivering shearing and wool handling schools again after a four-year break with one school being delivered that year.
Five years on and in 2012 there were 12 training schools conducted across Victoria.
"Last year we didn't have any spare spots in the training schools that we ran," Miss Cameron said.
"The course is suitable for total beginners and people don't necessarily need to have any prior experience.
"We've had dairy farmers' kids and students from Melbourne complete the course.
"It's attracted a diverse range of students and is tailored to their skills and needs."
Each course consists of six to eight students, depending on the size of the shearing shed they are working in.
One-on-one training is provided with a focus on skirting fleece wool, preparing oddment lines, penning sheep, pressing wool, OH&S and working in a shearing shed.
Miss Cameron said working with wool is a rewarding career path for young adults.
"A farmer's sheep are shorn once a year and therefore his income from wool comes once a year so a wool handling role is vital role in the process.
"It's a crucial step and can make or break a farmer's income in the matter of seconds you've got the wool in your hands.
"When I am training my students I tell them to treat the wool as if it is their own wool, and their own money and their reputation on the line.
"I believe if they keep this philosophy in mind when working with wool then they will go a long way and be an asset to the industry"
"It's also pretty satisfying that after five days of training; the students can step into a job that earns them $200 a day."
