National certificate in shearing

By PHILIPPA STEVENSON

THE COURSE

Wool industry and government backed Tectra offers a series of short courses, which combine with on-the-job experience to make up an NZQA-recognised national qualification for shearers.

The private training establishment or PTE once known as WoolPro and based at Massey University in Palmerston North and Lincoln University near Christchurch, is also the country's biggest trainer of wool handlers and pressers. Around 1200 shearers and wool handlers take its courses each year.

Courses are now offered nationwide anywhere a minimum of eight shearers gather.

Novice shearers, including city people who have never seen a sheep, begin the programme with a four-day, level one or learner shearer course that teaches basic shearing and woolshed skills. Students learn to select and maintain shearing equipment and how to shear sheep in the correct sequence.

Tectra manager Gavin Rowland says instructors prefer students with no or little experience because they have not developed bad habits. Students are typically male but an increasing number of women are doing the courses.

The level two or junior shearer four-day course is for shearers who have been in the industry about a year and are shearing up to 200 sheep a day. Trainees build on the basics, focusing on footwork and shearing patterns that improve speed while concentrating on minimising cuts to the animal's skin. They are introduced to how a woolshed operates and their role and functions.

Junior shearers study nutrition, health and safety, timeliness and work availability, injury management and teamwork.

Level three or intermediate shearers would be shearing about 300 sheep a day, have an understanding of breeds and be shearing to approved patterns. They are taught to build on their rhythm and timing, increase their average tally and be proficient in shearing several sheep breeds.

The four-day course for level four or senior shearers is designed to give students a competitive edge in the shearing shed. The focus is on skills needed to shear above average tallies or more than 300 sheep a day, diagnose and correct faults in gear and shear precisely.

Level three and four students study technical aspects of shearing such as the importance of the right combs and blow placement.

As part of certificate requirements, a student's competency is also judged on workplace records. It generally takes a year to graduate from one level to the next though many remain at the intermediate level. Talented shearers might graduate to senior level after five years of shearing.

Certificates are awarded on completion of each course level. Courses run year-round wherever sheep are available.

New Zealand shearer training is recognised as the best in the world and the qualifications open doors and provide work opportunities worldwide. Many overseas shearers attend the courses.

Course fees are subsidised for students registered by Tectra under a government training scheme. They pay $120 for each course. Unregistered students pay $320 a course.

WHAT STUDENTS THINK

Charlie Burton, 22

Overseer

Taumarunui

Intermediate graduate 2002


I grew up around shearing. I've been shearing since I was 10 years old. My dad Bill was a shearer and my brother Andy is still.

I had the basics when I did the junior course three years ago. I was shearing a couple of hundred sheep in a day. It definitely helps to perfect your style and shearing technique.

I could get the wool off but there was not much style. I did the intermediate course 18 months ago. I now average 300 a day.

The courses don't just teach you to shear. They teach you about work ethics, promptness and timeliness, about gear. You can't be a shearer without doing these courses and they are well recognised.

Seventy per cent of shearers now go overseas once or twice; some go every year. It's a great way to have your OE and make good money.

I'm now an overseer for shearing contractor Ewen Mackintosh. I organise the work with the farmers.

WHAT EMPLOYERS THINK

Ewen Mackintosh

Shearing contractor

Taumarunui


Tectra courses are one of the most important tools we've got. The courses and the instructors are good.

You can tell the shearers who have done a Tectra course and those who haven't. It's invaluable.

They learn more than shearing, like attitude, what clients want and need. I've done the courses myself and I just swear by them. You learn quickly.

Charlie, for instance, is a consummate professional.

I'd like to see the courses encourage more professionalism in attitude, accountability, manners.

I can't speak highly enough of Tectra. The New Zealand shearing industry would be in the dark ages without them. We lead the world in shearing because of them.

THE QUALIFICATION

National certificate in shearing

Tectra (formerly WoolPro)

Courses offered nationwide

Phone 0800 496 657