“It was a full-on day of training [including] gear set-up, a grinding session and shearing lambs,” says wool training adviser Aria Mullins.
The 17 trainees hailed from Hawke’s Bay region. Three instructors gave the trainees a good spread of expertise, Mullins says.
“They loved it and learnt heaps. They managed to cover all the basics in one day, without everyone leaving with that ‘information overload’ feeling you can sometimes get after a course.”
Primary ITO is now training people who work in wool harvesting, bringing learning to the woolshed with this new on-the-job training model.
On-the-job training – practical, hands-on and done in the workplace – fits around the work day and the work, Mullins says. Workers earn while they learn rather than taking time off to attend classes.
Existing off-the-job training will remain or the two models can be combined for flexibility. So shearers, wool handlers and pressers can learn on-the-job, off-the-job or a blend of the two.
Management training is also offered to help shearing contractors develop their business expertise.
www.primaryito.ac.nz .
