Young Achievers
Learners keeping up with industry demand
T
HE SUITE OF NEW ZEALAND FORESTRY qualifications spanning across forest harvesting and silviculture operations has been updated and was officially launched towards the end of 2021, says Competenz. This comes as part of the NZQAmandated five-yearly qualification review. Coverage of some new operations has been introduced to keep pace with technology and changes in the industry and ensure updates to health, safety, and environmental regulations are followed. This includes programmes for the operation of mobile cable yarders, mechanised thinning, and mechanised land preparation machines. Updates have also been made to ensure health and safety, and
environmental regulations are followed. Forestry Account Manager, Ross Marshall, says the review and update of the qualifications was very important; as technology continues to evolve, so do we. “With new qualifications to keep up with the advancements within our industry, we’re able to match the demand for production and, most importantly, safety.” The suite takes a focused and robust approach, with each of the qualifications made up of core units that cover foundation skills. This knowledge is built on as learners progress through the programmes and diversify into specialised strands. Most of the task-based learning that previously existed remains the same, but
the programmes have been enhanced with the introduction of some of the more mechanised operations. “New qualifications will allow our learners to keep up with industry demand. They will be trained for tasks safely and to a high standard. Our industry is growing, and so is our knowledge to make working in forestry easier and safer,” says Mr Marshall. As always, the qualifications are open to anyone employed in the industry. All Competenz resources, learning support materials, and assessment guides have been updated to facilitate a seamless rollout and ensure learners and employers get the most out of these refreshed qualifications.
SNIWC scholarship winner THE SOUTHERN NORTH ISLAND WOOD Council’s (SNIWC) scholarship winner, Sophie Cusack, has been awarded $8000 towards her Bachelor of Forestry Science at New Zealand School of Forestry, starting this year. A former student of Wairarapa College, her family have a long history of working in forestry, so we’ll be seeing her out in the bush before long!
Forest 360’s Blake Jones (Chair of the SNIWC Board) presents Sophie Cusack with her swag and scholarship.
44 NZ LOGGER | February 2022
