The AWI Graduate Training Program is back, with applications opening July 1st 2021 for the 2022 intake.
The program provides successful applicants with a thorough understanding of the wool supply chain from fibre to fashion.
AWI Chief Executive Officer Stuart McCullough says it is an important program that seeks develop future wool industry leaders.
"We are focussed on attracting and retaining the best people to the wool industry.
The AWI Graduate Training Program has been extremely successful since it's inception in 2018, creating opportunities for those from a wool growing background, wanting to enter the workforce.''
The 18-month program starts each year in March and is based primarily at the AWI office in Sydney, where the graduates gain exposure to many areas of the AWI business including On-Farm Research, Processing Innovation and Education Extension, Woolgrower Services, Global Marketing, Digital, and Business Services.
2022 graduates may also be given the opportunity to gain global exposure to the wool supply chain through international rotations if international travel restrictions allow.
The program also provides the graduates with professional training and development opportunities, to further enhance their career within the industry.
The program is open to those who have graduated from university in 2020 and 2021, and is aimed at people with a broad cross section of disciplines who have a background in or connection with the Australian Wool Industry.
The program was not run in 2020.
On July 1st, you can apply for the 2022 intake by following the below link.
https://careers.wool.com/apply-now/
AWI Graduates – Where are they now?
Ellie Bigwood
Hailing from the Frankland River region of Western Australia, Ellie was one of our first graduates, joining the program in 2018 and bringing with her an abundance of enthusiasm and passion for wool. Since completing the program in late 2019, Ellie has relocated back to regional WA where she is AWI's Industry Relations Officer. With her connection to the industry in WA and experience overseas and in head office in Sydney, it was an organic transition for Ellie to become an essential conduit between AWI and wool industry networks in WA.
Miles Barritt
Miles entered the AWI Graduate Training program in March 2019, after completing his bachelor's degree in commerce from The University of Western Australia. Although the civil unrest in Hong Kong and the Global Pandemic prohibited his ability to experience all international rotations, Miles powered through the adversity and was well placed to take on the role of Business Analyst, Risk and Recovery. In this role Miles analyses the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on global marketing strategies and partnership projects, as well as providing insights and strategy development around opportunities and threats to the global supply chain & key markets in terms of trade, manufacturing, and consumption.
Emma Murphy
From NSW and alongside Miles, Emma began her journey through the AWI Graduate Training Program in March 2019. Her background in event management, a bachelor's degree in Agricultural Economics, and the recipient of the prestigious Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, meant she was well placed to thrive across all of the rotations the program had to offer. So much so, that her International Rotation in London was extended to provide invaluable support to our UK office in a time of increased workload. It only made sense that upon her return, Emma would move into our Global Marketing Team, supporting them in the role of Marketing Communications Coordinator.
George Lehmann
Also from NSW, George's time in the program began in March 2020. Unfortunately for him, it was at a time when the Global Pandemic was just rearing its ugly head and he spent the first 4 months of the program, working remotely. Additionally, this meant that his international rotations were postponed and the program ended a bit earlier than anticipated for him. Showing true resilience, this did not dampen George's enthusiasm or motivation and he rose to the challenge. Coming from a wool growing farm in Junee, tied in with his high energy, maturity and positivity, George made the smooth transition into the Woolgrower Services Team in the role of Project Coordinator, Training and Education in March of 2021.
