AFCA has appointed Sue Kennedy as ForestFit Project Manager. Ms Kennedy will be working out of New South Wales and will play a vital role in the delivery this important project. The role is supported and funded by the NSW Government. Source: Timberbiz
The ForestFit Contractor Training and Certification Scheme is a world first and aims to recognise the important contribution that contracting businesses play in harvesting and haulage and the need to support continual learning and development.
The training component of the Scheme will provide education and tools that will increase capabilities of forest contractors with professional proficiency such as human resource practices, leadership principles, safety and environmental obligations and legislation, marketing, tendering, community management and financial administration.
The Scheme will facilitate access to the training, recognition of existing practices and provide for a potential national rollout in the future.
The certification of the contractors will result in a unified understanding to Government and Forest managers of what a quality contracting business will look like.
The methodologies and certification procedures are yet to be created and Ms Kenndy will be relying on all relevant stakeholders to assist in understanding how to meet the current challenges and identify skills gaps in the contracting industry. This will ensure stakeholders who are engaged, will also have a sense of ownership of the Scheme and its longevity.
The success of the Scheme will be reliant on communication, transparency, clear understating of its benefits and the strength it will give to the industry into the future.
Ms Kennedy will be contacting stakeholders within industry over the coming months as the project kicks off.
