Elite Wool Industry Training (EWIT) recently hosted its first all-women shearing and wool handling course in Ngatapa, with support from Trust Tairāwhiti, Ovation, and the Mayor’s Taskforce for Jobs - Tairāwhiti.
Trainers Catherine Mullooly, Eve Peddie, and Tom Wilson, managing director of EWIT, shared their expertise, aiming to empower wāhine in the field.
The three-day course brought together 15 women with varying skill levels and experience, some travelling over four hours to attend. Participants were split into groups to work on core skills, including animal welfare and proper handling of sheep with the emphasis on balance whilst shearing, sharpening gear, comb selection, – all critical shearing elements. The training highlighted techniques to ensure quality and efficiency. While only three of the course participants initially intended to compete in the A&P show shearing competition, by the end of the course, eight participated, with three placing, showcasing the course’s effectiveness in building confidence and skill among its participants.
Recognising the mental and physical demands of the job, Catherine introduced breathing exercises to help participants manage stress and stay calm during the sessions.
“Shearing is hard work, so it’s important that kaimahi (workers) can manage stress and have a release instead of letting things build up,” said Catherine, who holds the solo women’s eight-hour strong wool ewes record with 465 sheep shorn.
A strong sense of camaraderie and support was fostered through team bonding exercises and shared kai. “We made a point of doing team-bonding exercises during every break, creating a positive working environment and a sense of whanaungatanga among the women,” she said.
Participants felt more confident and comfortable engaging in the training in this all-women setting. “From what I’ve seen at mixed courses, you’d generally get fewer women attending,” Catherine said, highlighting the shift in what was a traditionally male-dominated industry.
“When I attended my first shearing school 14 years ago, there were no women on stands working for the contractor I was wool handling for in Gisborne at the time - and that was a big gang, so it’s encouraging to see the culture of the shearing sheds is changing. The success of courses like this shows how important it is to empower our wāhine onto the stand.”
Tom Wilson observed the pilot course's success firsthand and recommended applying these training techniques to all EWIT courses.
“Tom’s feedback was empowering especially with him recognising the positive impacts of the mental wellbeing focus. Tom’s seen the industry change from a time when training just meant shearing harder,” said Catherine.
With top-tier trainers and a commitment to growth, EWITs programmes continue to build confidence and skill at every level of the wool industry.
Photo credit: Elite Wool Industry Training