ForestWorks Skills Update December 2009, ed.16

ForestWorks announces changes to Board of Directors

Jane Calvert, Julie George, John Downes, Allan Hansard and Alex Millar were re-elected for another term as ForestWorks Directors. Jane Calvert has been voted in as the new Chair of the Board and supported by Julie George as Deputy Chair. Craig Smith is welcomed to the Board as a new Director. The Board will continue their role in leading ForestWorks in its work to assist the industry to grow and develop through education, training and the skills development of its workforce. Learn More!

ForestWorks sponsors stand at Copenhagen Climate Change Conference

ForestWorks provided support for an industry delegation to represent the Australian forest, wood, paper and timber products industry at Forest Day 3. The event brought together forest policy makers, leading thinkers, scientists and many other key forest stakeholders during the 15th Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The ForestWorks sponsored stand on Sustainable Forest Management attracted interest from a range of delegates from other countries eager to learn more about the challenges and opportunities for global forestry in the context of climate change.

Increase the skills and productivity of your business with commonwealth Government support

The Australian Government announced that $25 million will be provided during 2009-10 for an Enterprise Based Productivity Places Program (EBPPP) for existing workers. This program will provide up to 11,000 new training places. The objective of the EBPPP is to enable individual enterprises to increase their productivity by providing employees with opportunities to increase their skill and qualification levels. Learn More!

NSW High School students given insight into industry careers

Forestworks sponsored the Forestry Careers Expo held in Tumut TAFE campus on 26 November 2009. There were over 120 Year 8 and 9 High School students from around Sydney who participated in the event. The local forest, wood, paper and timber products industry employs thousands of people every year and the expo is a great way to highlight the potential for careers within the industry.  Learn More!

FPI05 Case for Endorsement

The continuous improvement of the Forest and Forest Products Training Package is progressing with several areas prioritised for inclusion in the Case for Endorsement to be submitted to the NQC early in 2010.  Some priority areas are:  review of six tree felling units; Skill Set for Log Truck Drivers; Skill Set for Fire Salvage Operations; and, new qualifications and pathways for the Frame & Truss sector.

ForestWorks NSW promotes sustainable employment at career expo

ForestWorks NSW participated in the ‘Plant the SEED’ (Sustainable Education and Employment Day) event held in Sydney on Friday the 20 November 2009.

The event was targeted at young people, and those working with them, and teaching and careers staff. Learn More!

ForestWorks implementing Skills for Sustainability into Training Packages

An analysis of sustainability skills within the FPI and FPP Training Packages is now a high priority on ForestWorks ISC’s Continuous Improvement Plan, in line with Federal Government policy on the issue.  Work will be completed in two stages –scoping of the Training Packages will be completed by 31 March 2010 and any subsequent changes will be submitted for NQC endorsement by 31 December 2010.

Revised Support Materials for Operator Skill Sets

To support the soon to be introduced ten Machine Operator Skills Sets in FPI05, a suite of new materials will be published early in January.  Fully revised and updated Learner Guides for FPIHAR3206A Conduct forwarder operations, FPIHAR3207A Conduct feller buncher operations, FPIHAR3209A Conduct excavator operations with grabs, FPICOR2203A Follow environmental care procedures and FPICOR2205A Follow OHS policies and procedures will become available shortly, along with implementation guides for each of the individual Skill Sets and updated FIAPs assessment tools.
 

ForestWorks promotes participation in conference survey

ForestWorks is encouraging feedback from a survey emailed out to Forest Future conference delegates early this week. If you received a copy of the survey, we would appreciate it if you would take the time to fill out the survey as we are already in the planning stages for next year’s conference and want to ensure that industry investment and contribution is valued.

Have YOUR say!

ForestWorks documents the conditions and challenges that the forest, wood, paper and timber products industry is facing in order to provide meaningful intelligence to both industry and government. The next report is due with government in February 2010. Our advice is formed throughout this year from meeting with industry representatives. If you wish to ensure your concerns or good news stories about workforce development have been captured by us, please contact Jane Bartier.

ForestWorks wishes you a safe and merry Christmas

We would like to thank all of you for your ongoing work and support for ForestWorks throughout the year. We wish you a safe and very happy Christmas and we look forward to continuing the good work in 2010. Please note that ForestWorks will be closed from 24 December 2009 - 8 January 2010 (inclusive).

FREE job advertising - ‘log a job!’ online!

An important part of the ForestWorks website is the ability to advertise vacant jobs. This enables anyone seeking a career in our industry the means to be able to view all vacant positions online and in one place. To post your job online for free, please click here.

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