Past Graduates

Kate Rice

Completing the AWI graduate program was an amazing experience. It is a truly unique program offering experience in all areas of the AWI business and therefore exposure to the full wool supply chain. The experience pushed me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to develop my skills professionally and personally. The opportunities, hands on experiences and mentorship received through the program has set me up with the best opportunity for a career in wool, allowing me to identify my skills and apply them back into the industry.

I am now working between our on-farm Consultation team and our Marketing team with a focus on stakeholder communications. Through this role I am able to combine my passion for visual communication and agriculture, actively working to ensure our stakeholders are connected and informed across the supply chain.

Harrison Dunning

The AWI Graduate Program has been an amazing beginning to my career in wool. With a strong passion for agriculture, I was drawn to AWI’s unique position that spans the entire supply chain, where I gained exposure to diverse opportunities both within Australia and internationally.

This provided me with a comprehensive understanding of the fibre’s journey from farm to finished product. It strengthened my appreciation for the expertise and commitment required at every stage of the process, while also enabling me to build valuable industry relationships and identify where my skills could contribute most effectively.

I am now a member of AWI’s Sustainability team, where I focus on projects designed to future- proof wool in response to evolving consumer expectations and regulatory requirements for low- impact products. This work helps woolgrowers and their customers capture opportunities to strengthen global demand for high-quality wool, ensuring the fibre remains a sustainable and valuable choice for generations to come.

Chris Watt

I joined the AWI Graduate Training Program in March 2022, after completing a bachelor’s degree in marketing and science. When I graduated from the program in October 2023, I stepped into my current role as Product & Processing Development Coordinator within the Industry Development team. In this global role, I work with international teams on cutting-edge product and processing developments, while also supporting the Trade Extension program. My work spans key projects such as The Wool Lab, global retail training, trade shows, and industry workshops.

The Graduate Program gave me invaluable exposure to the entire wool supply chain—from farm to fashion. It provided the time and space to explore my interests and helped me step into a role where I can contribute meaningfully and do work I’m genuinely passionate about.

Oskar Mitchell

Joining the AWI Graduate Program was a fantastic way to start my career in wool. Growing up in regional NSW and studying agricultural science, I was drawn to AWI’s role across the entire supply chain and the opportunity to gain experience in different areas of the business, both in Australia and overseas.

The program provided a broad perspective on how wool moves from farm to finished product, while giving me the chance to build skills, foster industry connections, and deepen my appreciation for the wool industry as a whole.

In my role in the Market Intelligence and Measurement & Evaluation team, where I will focus on reporting the factors shaping the wool industry across the supply chain and helping to inform business decisions that deliver value to woolgrowers. I look forward to contributing meaningfully to the Australian wool industry in the years ahead.