People who work with ForestWorks on skills projects know that the productivity of their businesses is directly linked to the skills they have.
If you are a worker, an employee or a trainer in the timber and wood products sectors, ForestWorks want to hear your thoughts on proposed changes to entry level and high level qualifications for timber and wood products operations. Visit this webpage to view the drafts for comment and instructions on how to provide input by April 2022. Alternatively, you may contact the Project Manager directly at [email protected].
Following an initial round of industry consultations in late 2021, these training products have been redesigned to address current skill needs, increase training efficiency, and provide clear career paths for school leavers, new workers, and existing workers.
According to industry feedback, today’s timber and wood production workplaces require process operators, line technicians, and production supervisors who are very knowledgeable about the operation of sawmills, log yards or wood product processing plants in which they operate; have a sound understanding of health, safety, environmental protection, equipment maintenance and quality processes; can communicate effectively, make decisions, and work well with others; and are able to contribute to problem-solving processes and understand the reasons behind production processes and requirements.
As a result, existing qualifications have been consolidated, renamed and redeveloped, and three new qualifications are suggested. These are: Certificate II in Timber and Wood Products Operations, Certificate III in Timber and Wood Products Operations, and Certificate IV Timber and Wood Products Operations.
Under the proposed new qualifications, those seeking a Certificate III in Timber and Wood Products Operations can choose from specialisations in Timber Production, Glue Laminated Timber or Cross Laminated Timber Production, Plywood or Laminated Veneer Lumber Production, and Reconstituted Wood Panel Production.
Many of the courses that make up the proposed new qualifications have been redesigned to focus on skills or tasks that are important to the industry now and in the future, such as:
- planning, supervising and evaluating log yard operations, log processing operations in sawn product, veneer or wood chip production or the dry mill operations of a timber processing facility;
- collecting, preparing and testing samples of laminated wood products or finger jointed timber, interpreting test results for the identification of problems in production and implementing necessary process adjustment;
- developing specialised operational knowledge that support quality and problem-solving processes across log yard operations, veneer production for plywood or laminated veneer lumber (LVL) manufacture, plywood and laminated veneer lumber production operations, as well as glue laminated timber (GLT) and cross laminated timber production (CLT) operations; and
- assessing the types and applications of glues and gluing systems used in the production of wood products.
Several new courses have been added on chain of custody certification principles aimed at operators, senior operational staff, and internal auditors, as well as mechanical skills needed by saw technicians, line technicians, and production supervisors.
In addition, all proposed qualifications, whether entry level or high level, have been designed to help people learn basic skills that they may apply to other jobs or occupations. These skills include applying effective manufacturing work practices, achieving work outcomes, performing minor equipment maintenance, participating in continuous improvement, using structured problem-solving tools, performing tasks to support production, organising personal work priorities, and working in teams.
