Dr Georgiana Daian, ForestWorks Research Manager
The Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) has approved two new projects for the Timber and Wood Processing Industry Reference Committee (IRC) to review and update units of competency and qualifications. Source: Timberbiz
These are:
- Advances in Wood machining and Sawdoctoring.
- Sawmill Timber and Process Optimisation
Technical Advisory Committees (TACs) are currently being established for each project.
If you are interested in applying to be a technical expert for these projects and are able to volunteer your time or would like further information regarding these projects, email [email protected].
“TAC nominations are sought until the end of August, with the first TAC meeting being proposed for 27 August. However, we welcome stakeholders and encourage them to join the project at any time during the development work,” said Dr Georgiana Daian, ForestWorks research manager.
“It is expected that development work will be completed before January 2019. This stage is followed by a period of broad industry feedback and a training package quality assurance process. The project will conclude in June 2019.”
The role of the Technical Advisory Committee and its members is to assist the project through a range of activities, which include:
- Providing input on relevant job activities and knowledge required from people working in this area;
- Identifying relevant qualitative and quantitative data sources to inform the development of draft materials;
- Reviewing and providing feedback on draft materials;
- Promoting draft materials to and requesting input from relevant stakeholders.
The Advances in Wood machining and Sawdoctoring Project will assess the current skills requirements for wood machinists and sawdoctors as a result of technology developments and a business imperative to operate in the competitive manufacturing environment.
This project will result in streamlining and consolidating the national wood machining and sawdoctoring qualifications, which underpin industry’s apprenticeships and traineeships programs for these trades.
The Sawmill Timber and Process Optimisation Project will improve and develop new units of competency to address skills requirements for timber and process optimisation within sawmills as follows:
- Log sorting – specific skills are required to operate 3D, X-Ray and acoustic scanning technologies and software and conduct correct calibrations.
- Sawing in the ‘green mill’ – specific skills are required to set-up and operate scanning and optimising system for log alignment and positioning before sawing and for trimming and sorting operations.
- Dry mill processing and grading – specific skills are required to understand the cutting plan and product output mix, select the cutting programme and develop a cutting schedule to meet value recovery requirements. Specific skills are also required for using stress grade technology, which uses acoustic, visual, X-Ray and bending methods, to determine the structural characteristics of the full length of every single piece of timber.
- Timber treatment – specific skills are required in the current timber treatment processes and correct testing of treated timber due to the major improvements in techniques over the recent years to ensure the durability, protection and performance of timber products.
