It doesn't matter if you're new to the Forest, Wood, Paper and Timber Products Industry or an experienced worker - you'll need to have your work skills assessed.
New workers
Everyone has skills they've gained throughout their life and these skills might be very useful in the Forest, Wood, Paper and Timber Products Industry. For example, if you have studied woodwork at school then you will already have skills in using power tools and if you've worked in retail you will probably have skills that are useful in the Timber Merchandising sector.
The experience you have with skills like these can count towards a qualification in the Industry, but to determine if the experience you already have will count towards a qualification, you will need to have your skills assessed.
Experienced workers
Many workers in the industry have skills they have acquired, often over many years. If you are one of these workers, you may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Sometimes RPL is called Recognition of Current Competency (RCC), though both terms mean basically the same thing.
RPL acknowledges that you already have skills that just need to be formally recognised and this is done through assessment. There are two common reasons for seeking RPL assessment:
Some workers have skills that have been learned on the job
Others may hold a certificate or statement for training that was not part of the current national system.
Assessments for technical skills or practical work activities will generally require you to demonstrate the skill. Other kinds of evidence may also be gathered.
