The future capacity of the State's shearing industry has been bolstered, as a further 11 trainees graduated from a two week, intensive shearing and woolhandling camp today.
Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan today presented the participants with graduation certificates at a farm near Wellstead.
They are the fourth group to complete the intensive two-week program as part of the Regional Shearing and Woolhandling Hub Camps program, funded by the McGowan Government and Australian Wool Innovation (AWI), with support from the Western Australian Shearing Industry Association.
The accredited AWI training program, which has also held camps at Northampton and Brookton this year, has a practical focus, including crutching and shearing, wool clip preparation and pressing.
Planning is underway to host future shearing camps, to continue to provide employment pathways - particularly for young Aboriginal people - and stimulate regional and economic development.
The graduates were Barry Roberts, Luke Mowaljarlai, Brodie Ellis, Kyle Smith, Caleb Woods, Jay Kaeoswat, Isaac Brooks and Mark Colbung (all from Albany), Josh Saunders (Kulin), Jess Campbell-Paaka (Newdegate) and Saffron Edwards (Lake Grace).
As stated by Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
"Our Regional Shearing and Woolhandling Hubs Camps are a terrific investment to build the long term capacity and capability of our local shearing industry.
"Congratulations to today's graduates, who have knuckled down to learn the skills and discipline to become a valuable member of a shearing team, as shearers, classers and roustabouts.
"Thanks to Wellstead farmer Rob Davy for the use of his facilities and his ongoing support of the program, as well as shearing contractor Mick Thomas for his guidance and commitment.
"This program has already produced 24 graduates of whom 12 are now employed, helping to develop the next generation of shearers to grow our local workforce."
