Forestry workers' skills recognised

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 548, 9 August 1994, Page 10

Forestry workers' skills recognised

A group of local forestry and logging workers were recently presented with the first certificates to mark the start of the trade certificates in forestry, by Logging and Forestry Industry Training Board general manager Mike Newbold. The process involves on-the-job training and skill development.

"Historically workers in the bush haven't been highly recognised for their skills," said Winstone Pulp International trainer and assessor Keith Wood. He said all industry contractors and employers and employees were now being encouraged to become involved in the training which aims to improve skills for better productivity and improved safety and also to give the Workers recognition for those skills. "There are a lot of people who think a forestry worker is just someone who stands on a street corner in a Swanni on freezing cold mornings waiting for the bus," said Keith. He said this was a nationally recognised certification (New Zealand Qualifications Authority).

"People who are not good academically can be recognised for their practical skills - that's good for their prestige and self-esteem." Twelve people received certificates for forestry harvesting and eight for forest establishment and silviculture. Mr Wood said the Forest Owners Association has decided to see all employees trained and certificated by January 1996, or on the way to being assessed. At present about 35 per cent of Winstone' s workers are on the way to their trade certificates. The process sees the workers undergo a practical assessment and theoretical, verbal assessment on-the-job with each assessment taking up to two hours.