Help on offer with training for shearing

Aspiring sheep shearers are being encouraged to take advantage of a discounted training scheme run in conjunction with Young Farmers clubs in Scotland, England and Wales.

In Scotland the British Wool offer of £96 for the two-day course instead of the usual £210 is open to all Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC) members who have not previously attended a British Wool shearing course.

A separate course on wool handling is also being offered at a discounted price of £60.

Meanwhile, British Wool and Young Farmers clubs have also launched a competition for a member to win a free place on a new training and development programme.

The successful entrant will receive a year’s free access to British Wool training courses, including machine shearing, gear training and wool handling. They will also get the opportunity to visit British Wool’s head office and grading depot in Bradford to learn about the wool processing chain.

British Wool shearing manager Richard Schofield said he was delighted to be working with Young Farmers associations to help train the next generation of shearers.

He added: “Covid-19 restrictions permitting, we look forward to welcoming Young Farmers on to our courses again this year and would encourage any interested Young Farmer members to contact British Wool’s regional co-ordinator for their area before the respective closing date.”

To enter the competition, SAYFC members need to submit a short video or send an email explaining why they should be chosen for the opportunity.

The closing date for entries is March 31 and the competition will be judged by a panel of industry experts from the shearing sector and British Wool.

The competition is also supported by Lister Shearing, which has provided a package of shearing equipment to the value of £500 for the winner.

The winner will be expected to work with British Wool by sharing their training journey over 14 months on social media, the press and online.

More information on the competition rules and how to enter can be found at britishwool.org.uk/ yfc-training

TRAINING: A discounted scheme is being run for aspiring sheep shearers.