A new opportunity exists for a project manager to join the Tasmanian Forests and Forest Products Network (TFFPN) to encourage an industry-wide commitment and approach to improving diversity and skill development in the forest workforce in Tasmania. Source: Timberbiz
The Workforce Diversity Project Manager will be responsible for the development and implementation of the Diversity Action Plan as part of the Workforce Development Plan framework to drive diversity outcomes in the forest industry in Tasmania, which will contribute to a more effective forest and forest products industry workforce that meets the evolving needs of the market and the broader Tasmanian community.
In July this year TFFPN said it would deliver a Diversity Action Plan for the forest industry to increase the gender and cultural diversity of the workforce.
The project was a key commitment in the Tasmanian Liberal Government’s First 100-day Plan and will provide $300,000 to the Network to develop and deliver an industry-driven Diversity Action Plan over the next two years that will attract more women and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to the forest sector.
“It’s no secret the forest industry in Tasmania has historically been overwhelmingly male-dominated and not particularly culturally diverse, in fact, women currently comprise only 16% of the sector,” Network Convenor, Therese Taylor said.
Industry reports, including, ‘A Strategic Growth Plan for the Tasmanian forests, fine timber and wood fibre industry’ (2017), ‘Northern Tasmania Regional Forestry Hub: Culture, Training and Skills Assessment’ Report (2020), and the ‘Tasmanian Forest Industry Workforce Development Plan’ discussion paper (2021), have all highlighted the lack of workforce diversity as a significant issue affecting the future of forestry in the state—particularly in regional and remote areas.
“The evidence from these reports suggests that the industry across the different sectors is experiencing significant issues attracting a diversity of cohorts from the community—specifically women, young people, and recent migrants—to its workforce,” Ms Taylor said.
“The Diversity Action Plan project presents a considerable opportunity to develop a new, robust, skills-based forestry workforce that is more reflective of the broader community in which it is based.”
This two-year full time project manager will work closely with industry stakeholders and the Diversity in Forestry Working Group to identify real or perceived constraints to workforce development and provide and implement an Action Plan for the industry,
Contact Romany Brodribb for a full Position Description –
Applications close COB Monday 6 September 2021.
For more information about the role, please contact Therese Taylor (NetworkConvenor) –
