New Tutors Enhance New Zealand’s Only Wool Programme

• Southern Institute of Technology welcomes two expert tutors to its Wool Technology programme.
• Tutors Rebecca Braddick and Emma O’Sullivan bring extensive industry experience to the programme.
• The programme offers flexible, blended delivery accessible nationwide.

Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) has bolstered its New Zealand Certificate in Wool Technology and Classing (Level 4) with the appointment of two new tutors, Rebecca Braddick and Emma O’Sullivan. This qualification is unique in New Zealand and offers a blended delivery programme accessible nationwide.

Both tutors have a deep-rooted passion for the wool industry, stemming from their upbringing on family farms. Rebecca Braddick brings over two decades of experience in wool handling, classing, and education, having started her journey on her family’s sheep and beef farm in the North Island. She emphasised her “profound appreciation for the nuances of wool,” which laid the foundation for her career in wool classing, where she has achieved significant milestones, including being the first recipient of a scholarship for a classer mentoring programme in New Zealand in 2008.

The mentoring programme provided her with intensive training under an experienced classer, covering all aspects of wool classing and preparation, from the farm gate to high-end fashion markets. Braddick now works with several high-country stations in Central Otago, where she applies her skills to produce high-quality wool. Her dedication to excellence in the field is underscored by her ongoing professional development and her current pursuit of a New Zealand Certificate in Adult and Tertiary Teaching through SIT2LRN. She expressed enthusiasm about her role, stating, “I am fortunate to be working alongside my colleague Emma, as together with our combined knowledge and experience, we make a great teaching team.”

Emma O’Sullivan shares this enthusiasm, expressing her excitement about tutoring the Wool Technology and Classing programme. She fondly recalled her formative years on a family farm in Marlborough’s high country, where she developed her passion for wool. O’Sullivan’s career has included extensive work in both blade and machine shearing sheds, as well as over a decade as an owner classer. As a registered classer and Merino grower, she understands the challenges and rewards of producing high-quality wool. She is eager to share practical insights and skills crucial for a successful future in the wool industry.

O’Sullivan holds a Bachelor of Teaching and Learning, which complements her practical experience and provides a strong foundation in educational theory and practice. She looks forward to incorporating engaging and creative concepts into the course, collaborating with Braddick to enhance the programme and contribute to the growth of New Zealand’s wool industry.

Dr Sally Dobbs, Head of Faculty for Telford and SIT2LRN, warmly welcomed the new tutors, highlighting their wealth of experience. The programme, managed from SIT’s Telford campus, is available part-time over two years and offers a flexible blended delivery format with five-day block courses available in both the North and South Island.