Wool industry rallies to make shearing a registered trade

Since NSW Farmers' passed an urgency motion at its annual conference in July to support shearing becoming a registered trade, industry groups have been meeting to discuss how they can make it happen.

Callan Schaefer from Guyra, who is the NSW Farmers' wool committee vice chair, said industry groups were putting together a proposal that could be submitted to government.

"It's gaining momentum and it's one of the key priorities for the wool committee this year," Mr Schaefer said.

"Most people are positive about it but a few people are worried about the paperwork of having an apprentice so we have to address these issues."

Sports Shear NSW chair Dayne West, who runs his own contracting business DW Rural Agencies at Dubbo, also backs the calls to make shearing a registered trade.

"It's a paradigm shift the industry needs and it's a step in the right direction," Mr West said.

"It will also change the stigma of the industry."

By making shearing a registered trade, Mr West said it would not only open up opportunities for people to be able to secure bank loans but there would be different funding people could access for more training.

Related reading: NSW Farmers' calls for trade recognition for shearing

When Bailie Garnham told her parents she was going into the shearing sheds, they told her she needed a "piece of paper behind her".

"My parents are supportive of what I do," Ms Garnham said.

"But being a trade for would a big step in formalising the industry, it needs to be taken seriously.

"Shearing is a skill so it needs to be recognised, you are not just picking up a piece of wool."

Ms Garnham, who has her woolclassing stencil, is usually a roustabout on a cockie run between Swan Hill and Bendigo.

But when the team are down a shearer, she picks up the blades having completed a shearing course at Hay.

"I can't call myself a shearer yet until I can shear 100 sheep in a day," she said.

"I have done 25 in two-and-a-half hours so I'm just waiting for the right opportunity to come up."

Until then she is heading out the Nullarbor to be a governess for 10 weeks so she can earn enough money to purchase her own shearing equipment.

"Normally we are busy but because of the drought we've had a few weeks off as farmers have cut back their numbers," she said.

"So when I come back I will have a hand piece so I can get to work."

TAFE NSW Primary Industries Centre (PIC) head teacher of agriculture, Rob Harris, said it was a big problem that shearing was not recognised as a trade, like a mechanic or electrician might be.

"There's great earning potential for a career shearer but it's about more than just shearing these days. It's also about health, welfare, a good diet and physical fitness," Mr Harris said.

Meanwhile PIC will be a holding a shearing school at the campus from October 28 where students can learn from former world champion shearer Bill Kimber, who has 60 years experience.

Mr Harris said PIC had a fully functioning shearing shed with a six-stand raised board and students would come out with a Statement of Attainment in Introduction to Wool Harvesting.

"The course runs for two weeks and includes eight units - you learn everything from shearing techniques to looking after your equipment to wool pressing," he said.