Australia’s peak body for the $24 billion forest and forest products industry will support a new two-year saw doctor and wood machinist pilot training trail to boost much-needed forestry skills in the workforce. That is according to Diana Hallam, CEO of the Australian Forest Products Association, who said that despite a shortage of saw technicians and wood machinists – critical for the country’s softwood and hardwood industries – neither is listed on the Core Skills and Occupation List.
“Attracting new people into the industry begins at school, and we hope that this pilot training trial can go some way toward encouraging more young people to consider fulfilling careers in these specialised areas that are critical for timber manufacturing,” according to Hallam, who said the training will be delivered in conjunction with Timber Training Creswick, TAFE NSW and the Australian Government’s $10m Forestry Workforce Training Program administered by ForestWorks.
“We’re proud to be involved in this pilot training trial. We know saw doctors and wood machinists are professions experiencing shortages of qualified personnel,” said Mike Radda, ForestWorks CEO. “It’s important that we provide the required training here in Australia for people who want to undertake it, as a dual option with importing these skills from overseas.”
Hallam said Australia’s forestry and timber sector is its sixth most significant manufacturing industry. It is instrumental in driving the housing sector and helping other industries decarbonise by using timber and wood fibre: “We need to attract more people to our growing sector to fill the variety of important vocations we need to function,” Hallam said.
“This trial aims to make it easier for regional businesses to employ, train and retain skilled tradespeople. We are working to carefully identify industry needs and to test a practical and pragmatic training solution, including exploring the advantages of on-site employee training. AFPA will work with expert RTOs and businesses in different states to ensure training is tailored and fit for purpose.”
