How to become a Wool Classer
Wool classers sort, classify and grade wool into various commercial lines so that it can be sold at the best market price. They also manage and supervise wool-handling teams.
Personal requirements for a Wool Classer
- Able to cope with the physical demands of the job
- Good with hands
- Normal eyesight (may be corrected)
- Good communication skills
- Willing to travel
- Able to work as part of a team.
Duties & Tasks of a Wool Classer
Wool classers may perform the following tasks:
- Classify and prepare wool according to various characteristics (including length, colour, evenness, vegetable matter content, wool type and strength)
- Ensure wool is prepared to industry agreed standards
- Advise on sheep classing and selection
- Instruct and supervise shed staff involved in wool handling
- Instruct wool pressers and supervise the pressing, weighing and branding of bales of wool
- Maintain and supervise records documenting the commercial lines and characteristics of wool
- Refer to laboratory test results of mobs or lines of wool
- Liaise with woolbrokers, contractors, consultants and wool growers
- Implement and document quality management systems
- Prepare pre-sale documents that describe wool qualities.
Working conditions for a Wool Classer
Wool classers work in shearing sheds and wool handling centres. They mostly work indoors and stand for long periods. Wool classers often act as team leaders, and are responsible for the organisation and direction of staff. Wool classers may need to travel long distances from property to property to work during the shearing season.
Specializations
Wool Valuer
A wool valuer assesses the value of wool on behalf of wool buyers, brokers and domestic and overseas woollen mills.
