CONFIDENCE and the physical skill to work in a shearing shed is fostered in TAFE New England students learning wool handling, classing and shearing.
The courses are a way for people who think they're interested in the wool industry to figure out whether they're suited to it or not.
The long hours and nomadic lifestyle isn't for everybody, and the practical work included in the courses gives students a taste of what everyday life is like in the shearing shed.
New England TAFE's head teacher in trades and primary industries wool and shearing, sheep and wool Pauline Smith, Armidale, said a lot of students found a real passion for wool or shearing through the courses and went on to base careers on it.
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"Some of them get so hooked on shearing all they want to do is shear sheep," she said.
Anybody can do the courses offered by the TAFE, although it is recommended people with little experience in the sheep and wool industry start with the introductory courses.
"These courses develop skill and understanding and provide a platform to further develop expertise in the industry," she said.
Ms Smith said those who had completed the two-week entry level and beginner courses were employable although they had the opportunity to broaden their skills and specialise within the industry.
Two-week courses such as shearing and wool handling set up students with the physical skills and confidence to work within a shearing shed.
Ms Smith said a lot of the time, even when students had been taught how to do something, they still lacked the confidence to make a decision.
"Most of the time it's training their confidence level," she said.
"Getting them to make instant decisions is what we try to lead them to."
After finishing their courses, those who work in shearing sheds throughout the region are offered Australian Wool Innovation on-the-job coaching, where trainers go out and teach shearers and wool handlers while they are working.
Ms Smith said it was a great way to improve the students' skills and technique, and make them better at their profession.
When The Land caught up with Ms Smith and the students, they were working in the 108-year-old shearing shed at "Spring Creek", Arding, via Uralla, where Arnold Goode's family have farmed for 142 years and six generations.
Mr Goode's great-great grandfather immigrated from Cam- bridgeshire, England, went gold mining and then selected the farm "Spring Creek", which was crown land.
Two generations later they were shearing 6000 head of sheep but today they shear 2400 head.
The Goode family partnership includes family members Kevin Goode, Uralla; Brendan Miller, "Mount Brisbane", Uralla, Arnold Goode; Rose Miller (nee Goode) and John Goode, Brisbane.
Mr Miller, a building engineer and son of a shearer, is undertaking wool classer training to get a better understanding of that side of the business.
His wife Rose was a wool classing student 25 years ago at TAFE New England.
