TasTAFE Wool Classing Teacher receives national Trainer Award

For the second time, TasTAFE Wool Classing Teacher Evelyn Archer has received the Trainer Award for the 2025 National Graduate Wool Classer Competition. TasTAFE provides wool classing training as part of its Primary Industries, Horticulture and Environment course offering.

Evelyn was presented with the award earlier this year, in front of her industry peers, by Fiona Raleigh, Wool Classer Registrar at the Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX).

“Evelyn is a trusted wool expert with specialised skills in superfine wool preparation. She demonstrates a high degree of integrity and commitment to students being job-ready.

“Within the national wool classer training community, Evelyn is well respected and contributes to promoting all aspects of quality wool preparation," said Fiona.

"An outstanding value that Evelyn has demonstrated is her willingness to adopt the new technology in WoolClip and the online wool classer documentation and traceability system, to which Evelyn has contributed by testing and suggesting modifications."

Evelyn first received this award in 2018, and this second recognition on the national stage reinforces the quality of her training and the hard work she puts into maintaining a high level of course competency.

“I am currently the only wool classing teacher in Tasmania for any RTO, and sometimes that can feel isolated. This award reassures me that I am on the right track," Evelyn said.

Evelyn has been teaching Certificate IV in wool classing at TasTAFE for 13 years, selecting eight graduates over the last 11 years to attend the Sydney Royal Easter Show. Of the eight, five learners have placed in the top three at the AWEX/TAFE National Graduate Wool Classer Competition.

“This award recognises the hard work that is put into maintaining a high level of course competency to meet our industry expectations. Every RTO in Australia that delivers the Certificate IV in Wool Classing is invited to send a graduate to the Sydney Royal Easter Show to compete.

"In 2025, TasTAFE graduate Victoria Lang won this competition, and TasTAFE was recognised as her training provider, and I as her trainer,” Evelyn said.

In 2018, TasTAFE graduate Matilda Scott won the AWEX/TAFE National Graduate Wool Classer competition at the Sydney Easter Royal Show. Both were trained by Evelyn.

The competition welcomes graduates from registered training organisations across Australia to compete, demonstrating their wool classing skills in five areas of industry skills and knowledge.

The 2025 competition introduced a new practical task that highlights the growing importance of digital tools in wool traceability and industry readiness. For the first time, competitors were required to complete WoolClip documentation and simulate scanning of eBales, interpreting both written and verbal details as part of a commercial wool classing scenario.

Victoria’s win amongst a high-calibre field of contestants shows that the TasTAFE Certificate IV in Wool Classing continues to meet the mark, preparing graduates for the digital future of the Australian wool industry.

Evelyn's impact within the Tasmanian wool industry continues as she generously shares her knowledge through the Certificate IV in Wool Classing.

“I still work in the wool industry and often come across my past students, who are now mentoring current students. I love having this impact on the industry," she says.

When asked who should consider wool classing as a profession, Evelyn says:

“If you have spent time in the wool industry and want to learn more about being a team leader and adding value to the wool clip, this challenging but informative course could be for you.

“Through working in the wool and shearing industry, I have made contacts that have allowed me to see much of Australia as well as the UK, South Africa, New Zealand and China. I’m teaching now to give back to the industry that has served me well for most of my life."

By sharing her expertise with the next generation of wool classers, Evelyn is helping shape the future of Tasmania's wool industry.

Find out more about launching and growing your career in primary industries, horticulture and the environment to learn from TasTAFE’s expert teachers.