25 February 2000

Scholarships offered for wool training

(360 words)

Four scholarships are on offer for those wanting to make a career in the wool industry.

The scholarships, worth $1000 each, are being offered by WoolPro for those who wish to study its Certificate in Wool Handling Systems. Enrolments are now open.

WoolPro manager of industry studies Laurie Boniface says the scholarships are being offered to those people who wish to learn about wool classification, wool classing and early stage processing.

The Certificate in Wool Handling Systems is WoolPro’s newest and most comprehensive course.

It comprises five papers that cover an introduction to the New Zealand wool industry, sheep and wool production, wool characteristics and their assessment, wool classification, and a communication and information paper. Most people take two years to complete the certificate, but this is flexible.

Mr Boniface says the course will appeal to anyone who wants a grounding in the multi-faceted wool industry.

"It covers everything from sheep breeds to wool identification, grading, classing, and processing, right through to the finished product," he says.

Private merchants, scourers, brokers, wool handlers, spinners, weavers, farmers and their families, overseas people working with wool and anyone else with an interest in wool are typical of the people who take it on.

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Scholarship 2

The programme is the only one of its type taught extramurally through study guides and assignments. Special block courses are held regionally to demonstrate hands-on skills.

"People want short, sharp courses and they want them done locally," says Mr Boniface.

"We try to be as flexible as possible, so most of the time people can organise their study around their work and still remain at home."

Enrolments for the wool handling certificate close on March 1, but late applications may be accepted.

To nominate someone for a scholarship, or to find out more about the Certificate in Wool Handling Systems, call WoolPro manager of industry studies, Laurie Boniface, tel 06 356 8611, or email laurie.boniface@woolpro.co.nz

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News editors

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