Keep those logs moving ... Become a Timber Production Technician!
The smell of fresh wood shavings in the air and the feel of wood in your hands is something you just don't get working in an office.
The Sawmilling and Processing sector is about taking harvested logs and converting them into timber, flooring, decking and packing material.
There are many different jobs in a sawmill, and most sawmills have use job rotation, meaning that your work is varied. Many jobs are highly mechanised and rely on operators using computer technology.
Most sawmills and processing plants are in regional Australia, giving you a great chance to start your new career in a ‘timber town'. Having said that, there are sawmills all over Australia, so wherever you live, chances are you'll be able to find a career in this sector.
What jobs are there?
Jobs requiring Certificate II or III qualification (which combines on- and off-the-job training), include:
Maintenance activities (e.g. Electrician, Fitter and Machinist, Boilermaker).
Some jobs require Certificate IV or higher, including:
Timber Production Cordinator
Timber Production Manager
Marketing, sales and business management.
DID YOU KNOW?
Most timbers laying on the ground in a forest will just rot away due to water damage.
But there's one type of Australian timber that does not rot at all - huon pine, from Tasmania. It's impervious to water, which made it perfect for building boats in the 1800s.
The industry is very supportive of people who want to better their skills and keep learning. There are many types of jobs, so you can really make a career of it.
Who are the employers?
Employers include:
Hardwood, softwood or cypress sawmills
Woodchip mills
Timber treatment plants.
To read about career & jobs in the other sectors of this industry click on the articles below:
Timber sorting was just the beginning … “I’ve always been good with my hands”, says Clinton Paul. “In 2001 I got a job as a casual timber sorter, then I worked my way up. Now I’m now a qualified sawyer.”
Clinton works for the firm J Notaras & Sons in Grafton, NSW. His employer immediately saw his potential and... more »
