The Blue Light Shearing Program aims to change the mind-set of at-risk youth in rural communities and although the program is not exclusive to indigenous youth, a high proportion of participants are indigenous. The Blue Light Shearing Program has been formalised into an eight-week course run over two years that teaches all aspects of wool handling including shearing and crutching, wool handling and wool pressing, enabling participants to earn a Certificate II in Rural Operations. The Blue Light Shearing Program not only provides an opportunity for young people from rural areas to be mentored by Police Officers and other suitable role models, but it also provides a pathway to employment.

The Blue Light Shearing program started when Officer Laurie Bateman (who was a Police Liaison Officer at the time) started teaching young vulnerable people in the community skills associated with sheep shearing. He utilised his own shearing equipment and using his rapport as a Guiness World Record holder for shearing, was able to influence the attitudes of youth and effect behavioural changes in program participants. After identifying the positive outcomes being experienced by program participants and the reduction in youth related crime, Officer Bateman approached QLD Blue Light and formalised a partnership to establish the Blue Light Shearing Program. The Program formalised Officer Batemans activities, with the educational aspect of the program formalised through high schools and the Department of Education. As an Indigenous man, Laurie is an excellent role model for indigenous youth.