Part of that investment includes the $2.2m Beyond The Shed program, an initiative designed to provide skills and pathways for expanded year-round employment for WA’s shearing contractors and their teams,As reported in Countryman’s January 15 edition, the new program was designed and delivered by the WA Shearing Industry Association to assist shearing contractors to diversify their business. The Beyond The Shed program, administered by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, was officially launched at WASIA’s general meeting on January 17. At the meeting, WASIA executive officer and Beyond The Shed program director Valerie Pretzel said the aim of the initiative was to strengthen the livelihoods of shearing contractors and their staff and support regional communities. Ms Pretzel said to halt the severity of the industry’s imbalance, the initiative aimed at business development and support for shearing contractors and training coordination for their workers. “We will be helping shearing contractor work forces get ready for training, letting them know what courses are available.