A Day In The Life: The UK’s First Female Wool Grader
With a rich history dating back over 70 years, British Wool stands as a cornerstone in supporting farming and agriculture while providing vital employment opportunities throughout the UK.
Nestled in the heart of this legacy is Amy-Jo Barton, a 22-year-old trailblazer breaking gender norms and stereotypes as British Wool’s youngest and first female Wool Grader. Hailing from Bradford, her journey is not only a testament to personal growth but also sheds light on the intricate world of wool grading.
A New Chapter in Bradford
Amy-Jo Barton, born and raised in Bradford, embarked on her unique career path with us in the summer of 2022. Despite having no background in farming or agriculture. Amy’s story is a testament to the organisation’s commitment to diversity and creating opportunities for individuals from various backgrounds.
Amy shares,
“I love telling my friends I’m a Wool Grader; a lot of them have no idea what that actually means and look a bit puzzled!”
Having worked in logistics since leaving school, Amy was looking for a new challenge in a new industry which came with a qualification.
She continued:
“As a Grader, you also need to be able to do other tasks in the warehouse, such as gaining a forklift licence, packing and other opportunities that arise.”
The Art of Wool Grading
Amy explains the intricacies of her role as a Wool Grader. Highlighting the diverse uses of wool beyond what meets the eye. From apparel and insulation to carpets and homeware, wool serves as a versatile material with numerous applications. Amy’s journey also sheds light on the comprehensive training process involved in becoming a fully qualified Wool Grader, a three-year commitment that includes regular assessments by the Quality Assurance Team every six months.
“The job of a Wool Grader is to categorise different types of wool, to be then used for apparel, insulation, carpets, homeware and much more – there’s lots of uses for it I never knew about before I joined the business, and that’s what enticed me to become a Grader.”
Amy’s enthusiasm for her work is palpable. Each fleece is meticulously categorised based on characteristics such as texture, fineness of fibres, and breed specifics. With a vast number of different breeds and various crossbreeds. The variations in wool are broad, making the hand-grading process crucial for ensuring quality.
“There are 66 breeds of sheep which can also be crossed, so each fleece has its own characteristics. The difference between the wool is incredible; from different textures and very fine fibres to course ones and hollow fibre, similar to hair. We look for all these characteristics within the wool – the breeds can fall under these types, but the breed doesn’t always fit into the category, which is why hand grading is so important.”
A Physical and Fulfilling Career
Amy, said:
“It’s so enjoyable – it’s very therapeutic. Wool comes in from the farmers and a clip number is issued to the farmers bags, then we hand-grade the fleeces and allocate a grade number to each of the fleeces This also means we can trace the wool back to specific farms long after it has been turned into a jumper or ball of yarn.”
Working in an industry that often demands physical prowess, Amy acknowledges the challenges but recommends the role to those seeking a rewarding and invigorating challenge. British Wool employs a team of 42 Graders, with Amy being one of the five based in Bradford. Remarkably, the organization’s longest-serving grader has dedicated 45 years to the craft.
Amy-Jo Barton’s story is more than just a career change; it’s a narrative of breaking barriers and embracing opportunities. At British Wool, we are committed to fostering a diverse workforce is evident in the story of its youngest and first female Wool Grader.
As we unravel the threads of British Wool’s rich history, Amy-Jo’s journey stands as a testament to this long industry legacy.
