Tom Cooper, Transport Fleet Manager, Sunchip Group talks to the program participants.
The attraction and skilling of drivers in the forestry industry is a national problem and the simple fact is that the industry is not attracting or growing the talent pool. Source: Timberbiz
The Australian Forest Contractors Association (AFCA), in order to increase capacity for the future, has recognised the need for an industry specific program that develops the right skills and get participants excited about working in the industry.
With that in mind, AFCA and Skills 360 developed an industry specific program in 2022 in an attempt to fill the log-truck driver shortage in South East Queensland.
The program is funded by the Queensland Government under the Skilling Queenslanders for Work program, which aims to re-engage longer-term unemployed Queenslanders by providing a unique, industry specific program which gets them ready for work.
Natasha Moore, WHS:Human Resources Manager, Asher Enterprises.
The program also supports participants with a mentor and wrap around support to ensure its success.
Industry employers, employment agencies, the department, RTOs and AFCA met with the participants recently. They each spoke about why they were so keen to get involved and complete the course. Each of the participants showed absolute enthusiasm to work in the industry. An industry that many of them really didn’t even know existed previously.
The participants will graduate the course with a number of core and elective units of competency that make up part of the Certificate III in Harvesting and Haulage that have been selected by AFCA members in SE Queensland.
Courses included:
- TLID0020 – Shift materials safely using manual handling methods.
- TLIF0025 – Follow work health and Safety Procedures.
- TLIF2010 – Apply fatigue Management strategies.
Driver Awareness Elective Units
- TLIC3037 – Apply safe heavy vehicle driving behaviours.
General Elective Units
- TLIC2049 – Operate Heavy vehicle on unsealed roads.
- TLIC4006 – Drive multi-combination vehicle.
- TLIE2007 – Use communications systems
- TLIF0026 – Manage in-vehicle technology distractions.
Through continual engagement from Skills 360, the Department and AFCA, course participants will also graduate with a Heavy Rigid (HR) license and Machine ticket.
Once the participants have finished in classroom learning they will spend some time with AFCA members getting experience in the field and being exposed to all the job opportunities our great industry has to offer.
“The program seemed to have a very positive impact on the participants, it was encouraging to see the eagerness throughout the room and a genuine interest in developing new skills and in so doing, making themselves more employable within our industry,” Tom Cooper, Transport Fleet Manager, Sunchip Group, said.
“I especially liked that the program was tailored to each student’s needs and interests, and I believe that it will provide all of them with some useful core skills to assist in gaining employment within the wider forestry industry and beyond.”
The next intake is September 2023.
