Frequently Asked Questions

A wool classer is responsible for preparing freshly shorn wools for the next stage of processing in a “fit for purpose” state. A wool classer controls the shearing shed in terms of wool preparation and then classes individual fleeces into lines ready for the next stage in the wool process. It is the best and sometimes the last opportunity for a hands on look at the fleece.

Anyone who has an interest in a career with a view to working with a great natural product and a marvelous group of people from a wide cross section of our country. Wool classing is a very useful lead into many other fields of endeavor such as wool broking field rep, merchant rep, the scouring industry, wool exporting, textile manufacturing and the fashion industry at many different levels. Wool is being rediscovered as a great fiber in terms of being bio-degradable and clean & green with many natural traits that cannot be replicated with synthetic fibers.

Some experience in shearing shed work is helpful if you can travel. A shearing contractor is a good place to make a contact. Another way is to contact Wool classers Association Registrar for more detailed advice. You could find someone already working in the industry to set you in the right direction. There is always someone who is very willing to help.

The required qualification is a Certificate in Wool Technology with Southland Institute in Technology. (SIT No Fees.) This is a two-year course run ex- murally by tutors from Massey University. Also consists of two weekly hands on block courses. One in each North & South Island.

There are many areas in the commercial world where the skills and knowledge learnt along the way to becoming a wool classer that are very useful in the larger industry. Be it broker, merchant, scouring, exporting, textile processing or fashion industry. It is always an advantage to know where the wool comes from and the processes wool goes through before it ends up a finished product.