Typical Career Progression
| |
Position |
Remuneration |
Experience |
Education |
| Start Position |
Woolclasser |
Award wages |
Basic Training |
Woolclassing Certificate |
| 1st Promotion |
Overseer |
Award wages with allowances |
2 - 3 Years |
Woolclassing Certificate & experience |
| 2nd Promotion |
Wool valuer |
By agreement with employee |
5 Years |
Woolclassing Certificate & experience |
| 3rd Promotion |
Wool buyer |
By agreement with employee |
5 Years |
Woolclassing Certificate & experience |
*The above table is to be used as a guide only, a qualified classer may be employed directly as a trainee wool buyer or wool valuer after basic training has been completed.
Typical Accountabilities and Responsibilities
| 1st Year |
A woolclasser is accountable to the Wool Grower and responsible for wool handling in the shed. |
| 2nd Year |
Overseers are accountable to the wool grower and responsible for wool handling and general management of operations in the shearing shed |
| 3rd Year |
Wool valuers are accountable to their employer and are responsible for providing valuations to wool growers |
| 4th Year |
Wool buyers are accountable to their employer and are responsible for purchasing wool on behalf of clients |
Career Path Options
Once you have gained experience as a woolclasser, you may be able to be employed as an overseer, depending on the number of shearing stands that are operational. You will then need a thorough knowledge of account keeping, administration and the maintenance requirements of the shearing equipment used. As overseer you would also be in charge of staff employment.
There is the possibility of being employed as a wool valuer, which sees you value wool on behalf of growers. In this case you will be based at one of the Brokers wool stores which are located in all states. Wool valuers liase directly with growers and brokers agents, advise on preferred selling methods and provide a sale price estimation to the growers.
You may be employed as a wool buyer and you will purchase wool privately or through auction, usually on behalf of a client. The buyer must be able to value wool and operate in a wool trading room for wool sold through auction.
Woolclassers are supported by the Australian Wool Exchange through Quarterly newsletters, and professional extension programmes.
About the Author
Careernav
Careernav have written this career profile in consultation with senior industry representatives and industry associations who for reasons of conflict of interest cannot be named. Careernav have also reviewed information available from the public domain and drawn upon their combined 27 years experience in executive recruitment. This profile is a true representation of the career.
Did you know that there are over 200 breeds of sheep?