24 August 2000

Media Release
Wool Record

Wool training in New Zealand

European spinners and topmakers who use New Zealand wool could benefit from having staff complete tertiary papers designed specifically for this industry.

These are offered through WoolPro, New Zealand’s leading provider of education and training to the sheep industry.

There are five wool papers available:

• The New Zealand Wool Industry - An overview of industry sectors, including producers, brokers, traders, scourers, exporters, testing and research facilities
• Sheep and Wool Production – Includes production systems, practices, sheep breeds, animal health, genetics, and the biology of wool growth.
• Wool Characteristics and their Assessment - The commercial parameters of wool and their significance to textile processing.
• Wool Classification – The assessment skills required in preparing wool for sale or processing, and their application.
• Communication and Information – The collection, analysis and interpretation of numerical and practical information used in the wool industry.

Course supervisor, and former Massey University lecturer, Laurie Boniface, says these papers will be ideal for British and European processors who have traditionally sent their trainee technical staff to New Zealand for work experience.

“Here is an opportunity to complete papers before coming to New Zealand, and then follow up with the practical sessions when they get here.”

Boniface says the course is aimed at people who buy, sell or process New Zealand wool. The papers are popular with staff of New Zealand mills, brokers, merchants, exporters and scours, but are equally relevant to European users of New Zealand wool.

Papers are available at NZ$1500 each, and jointly form the only wool industry Diploma currently available in New Zealand.

For more information, contact: Laurie Boniface, WoolPro Palmerston North, New Zealand. Tel +64-6-356 8611. Email laurie.boniface@mwi.co.nz.

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