An eye for detail and being able to tell the difference between a poor, average and high quality product is what you'll need in the wool, and hide and skin classing occupations.

There are about 200 classers in Western Australia, mostly in wool. Only about 20 of them are hide and skin classers. Most classers work throughout the State - in particular, in the agricultural regions. Most are males but there is nothing to stop interested females entering this field.

Each year, approximately 40 training places are offered in the Certificate IV in Wool Classing.

Classers sort wool, hide or skin into categories according to factors such as the length of the wool staples (when wool fibres grow on sheep they form clusters of naturally forming fibres in the fleece), thickness, breed, age, colour and yield. Classers usually work as either wool classers or hide and skin classers.

Wool classers sort sheep's wool. Wool classing is generally carried out in an operational shearing shed or a classing house. A classing house is where farmers send their wool for sorting, which is then sent away for sale. Huge clumps of wool are hand sorted by classers. The portions of wool clippings that is not good quality must be removed.


The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Wool quality is normally classed as Good to Super. This type of wool has good colour, which is free or nearly free of any burr and/or seed. The wool may also be of Ordinary quality, which means that it contains light to moderate burr and/or seed and may be discoloured or slightly damaged. Then there is Inferior quality wool which is heavily burred and discoloured and contains a large quantity of seed.

On the other hand, hide and skin classers class cattle hide after the hide has been removed at an abattoir. The value of the pelt (skin) for sale is the key consideration.

Once a skin is removed it needs to be cured. Some common forms of curing are wet salting by drum agitation or conveyor salting. The skins must be cured within a few hours of slaughter. Specially prepared kiln dried salt containing concentrations of bactericides and special fungicides are also used.


Jumpers or Car Seat Covers?

Sheep's wool and skin is used for various purposes such as clothing and car seat covers, while cattle hide and skin, after it has been dried, can be used during the manufacture of clothing and shoes. Lamb's wool is a particularly sought after wool given its low level of coarseness. Sheep skin is commonly used for making the chamois cloths you use when washing your car.


As most classers are service providers to the agricultural industry, the availability of work depends upon activity in this area. For example, wool classers are in demand during the shearing season, but must be willing to follow work during the quieter periods. Classers can also work in farm produce wholesaling, with some hide and skin classers involved in meat product manufacturing. A small number of wool classers are self employed, though most are employed by shearing contractors, wool brokers and woollen mills.

Wool, hide and skin classers are also responsible for keeping computer records, training and leading a team of workers, and may be asked to give advice in their areas of expertise.

A Little Fitness Never Hurts

Classers typically work in sheds or large warehouses and the working conditions can be physically demanding. You can look forward to the prospect of being on your feet for most of the day and having to regularly lift large amounts of wool or skin. These classers are pretty much on the go throughout the day.

This industry has been badly affected in recent years by the wool stockpile. Although this has now bottomed out, the industry is not expected to improve in the short to medium term. The demand for wool classers, however, is helped by the high employee turnover rate within the occupation.

Wool classers work seasonally, but can earn between $18,000 and $40,000 per year. Wool classers who are also contractors can earn more. Hide classers earn within the same range, however, they are less susceptible to seasonal trends in job availability.

To work as a classer, you must be fit and able to work in a team. You'll need to complete the Certificate IV in Wool Classing, which is available through various campuses of TAFE. The Certificate IV is stipulated by the Australian Wool Exchange as a requirement for registration as a professional wool classer.

Alternatively, you can complete a traineeship in Wool Classing. For more information, contact the Australian Apprenticeships Hotline on 13 38 73 (local call cost).

Peter Pimley, a former lecturer in wool classing at Challenger TAFE (Murdoch campus), advises school leavers to gain experience before entering into the training. He says having had experience as a shed hand ''makes the course easier to do'', although he also points out that it is by no means necessary.

The wool classing course is very flexible, and students can start at any time during the year. For further information, please check out the TAFE website below.

Hide and skin classers learn their trade through a correspondence course provided by the Australian Association of Leather Industries. For further information, please check out the NTIS website below.

	Other Training Providers
	National Training Information Service website.
	TAFE Colleges
	Homepage links and contact details for all TAFE Colleges in WA.
	TAFE Handbook
	An online guide to full-time TAFE courses available throughout WA.

W.A. Primary Industries Training Council Inc
PO Box 157 Forrestfield WA 6058 Ph: (08) 9359 4000 Email: admin@wapitc.org URL: http://www.wapitc.or

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