Wool Training Advisory Group
Committed to supporting skilled training programs within the state and to work with training providers to deliver a reliable training program into the future
The South Australian Wool Training Advisory Group (WoolTAG) is a voluntary committee launched in 2003 focused on supporting the wool industry through ensuring there is a skilled training program within the state to continue to build a sustainable and resilient workforce. Livestock SA has provided administrative support since 2014 and executive support since 2016.
WoolTAG works closely with training providers and industry representatives to ensure that shearing, wool handling and wool classing programs meet the needs of the industry through;
- Review of training model to encourage more enrolments
- Review opportunities for increased ‘Wool Awareness’
- Continued support of the Amabassors Program
An initiative of WoolTAG to encourage and support new participants into the the wool handling industry is through the provision of WoolTAG Tool Box vouchers.
The WoolTAG Tool Box voucher was created to acknowledge the achievements of shearing sector students and to encourage them to stay in the industry by assisting them in purchasing their shearing equipment and other associated items. Getting young people into shearing sheds – and keeping them there – has been one of the toughest jobs facing the wool industry. Unlike most other trades, shearers and wool classers do not undertake a traditional apprenticeship, instead they must support themselves to undertake training and gain the necessary experience to work in the industry.
WoolTAG provides a voucher for new trainees that can only be redeemed at businesses providing shearing supplies to the value of up to $500 for shearers and $200 for wool handlers/shed hands. The tool boxes help young graduates to go into the industry with some assistance with tools that allow them to enter and most importantly be retained in industry.
The ToolBox Vouchers would not be possible without the generous financial contributions from:
- AJ & PA McBride Pty Ltd
- Michell Wool Pty Ltd
- Pandurra Pastoral
- SA Sheep Industry Fund
- AWI
WoolTAG News, Events & Resources
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Media Release Biosecurity
5/7/2022Expressions of interest sought for new Sheep Traceability Steering Committee
Livestock SA is seeking expressions of interests from across the sheep value chain, such as...Column Wooltag
23/2/2017WoolTAG provides young shearers, woolhandlers with future opportunities
Past WoolTAG recipient Tom Brewer, Naracoorte, starred at the recent world shearing championships at Invercargill...Members of South Australian Wool Training Advisory Group (WoolTAG)
Bruce Nutt
WoolTAG RepresentativeThe Pandurra woolshed and original shearer’s quarters were built around 1860 and are now part of Nuttbush Retreat’s authentic outback heritage accommodation and facilities. The older rooms contain much of the original furniture, in a...
Colin Donahue
WoolTAG RepresentativeMichell is Australia’s oldest and largest exporter of Australian Wool fibre and has been associated with the international wool textile industry for more than 150 years. From the Global headquarters in Adelaide, South Australia, the...
Emma Reynolds
WoolTAG RepresentativeMichell is Australia’s oldest and largest exporter of Australian Wool fibre and has been associated with the international wool textile industry for more than 150 years. From the Global headquarters in Adelaide, South Australia, the...
Glenn Haynes
WoolTAG RepresentativeThe Shearing Contractors' Association of Australia (SCAA) is a national industry association, that was formed in 1927 to represent the interests of Australian shearing contractors.
Josh Sneath
WoolTAG RepresentativeThe Shearing Contractors' Association of Australia (SCAA) is a national industry association, that was formed in 1927 to represent the interests of Australian shearing contractors.