Forest Products Industry

A recent trip to the Wide Bay-Burnett region saw the team from Canopy, Queensland’s forest and timber industry training and careers hub, lay groundwork for delivering the next generation of forest and timber workers though the Cutting Edge Program, a workforce initiative designed to address skilled labour shortages. Source: Timberbiz A two-week pre-employment training and work placement program, Cutting Edge equips jobseekers with meaningful skills while giving employers the chance to assess potential hires through work experience placements. This program bridges the gap between jobseekers and employers, fostering lasting workforce connections while addressing a critical need within the industry. During the road trip, which included hosting promotion events in Gympie and Maryborough, the team engaged key stakeholders to attract a strong talent pool for the next intake of the program, with Canopy Hub Project Lead Steve Worley noting the particularly strong engagement from local employment agencies recognising the value of the program’s capacity for creating job-ready skills. “Every industry is facing a competitive employment market at the moment, so the trip created a valuable opportunity for raising the profile of roles in the forest and timber sector. It also facilitated crucial connections with organisations uniquely positioned to identify and channel new talent into our industry,” said Mr Worley. “This collaborative approach is setting a benchmark for addressing workforce challenges in a highly competitive labour market.” The trip builds on the program’s proven past successes, which has seen a number of program graduates secure long-term employment within the industry. Andrew Davies from DTM Timber, a host of past cohorts, has found the initiative a valuable opportunity for employers and program participants alike. “It’s ‘try before you buy’, you get to have a good look at your potential employees, and insight from the program trainer into what they’ll be like as an employee, and where their skills and natural abilities will be best suited within your business,” said Mr Davies. “It’s been a worthwhile enterprise – we’ve gotten good people out of it and it’s in our best interests to keep the whole industry strong.” The next round of Cutting Edge will be delivered in early 2025, with local employers in the Gympie and Maryborough regions invited to reach out for more information on participating in this and future rounds. The Canopy Hub initiative is delivered by Timber Queensland with the support of the Workforce Connect Fund, powered by the Queensland Government’s Good people. Good jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022-2032 Workforce Strategy 2022-2032.

Forestry Corporation firefighters are gearing up for the summer bushfire season in the New South Wales pine plantations. With the onset of warmer conditions solid fuel fire bans have been introduced in key pine growing regions in the Riverina and Central West. Source: Timberbiz Forestry Corporation firefighters are currently preparing for summer with a series of fire camps across the state allowing staff to train and upskill on new and existing fireground equipment and appliances. “As a firefighting authority, Forestry Corporation takes firefighting seriously, we have a commitment to ensure we keep our people, our communities and our estates safe,” Bathurst-based Stewardship and Fire Supervisor Dave Anderson said. “We hold three fire camps each year in different locations across NSW to train new staff towards their initial certification and to advance our current staff,” he said. Fire camps are week-long, intensive training sessions that prepare staff and train new staff for the upcoming fire season. A recent fire camp in Wallerawang was attended by more than 40 people and eight staff members who trained, assessed and mentored the team. Senior Manager Fire and Natural Hazards Rebel Talbert said Forestry Corporation currently has trained firefighters across the state rostered on to respond to state forest fires across NSW. “Our staff are trained in forest firefighting and work really closely with the other agencies to respond to fires when they occur,” Ms Talbert said. Our statewide fleet includes fire appliances, pieces of heavy plant machinery, contracted aircraft and over a hundred drones and trained pilots,” Ms Talbert said. “Our fleet of fire tankers and light vehicles fitted with fire-fighting gear and heavy plant like bulldozers, which is used in forest operations in state forests, are also made available by the broader forest industry to fight fires in NSW.” Currently a major multi-year program is underway to upgrade Forestry Corporation’s firefighting fleet and improve safety for our firefighters. In response to a recommendation of the Independent Bushfire Inquiry, burn-over Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS) protection systems are being retrofitted to all existing light firefighting fleet and installed standard on new vehicles. In addition, new fire tankers are being purchased to replace ageing vehicles. “As a statutory firefighting authority managing two million hectares of land and supporting community firefighting efforts across the landscape, it is vital that we maintain safe and efficient fleet and equipment and investments in our fleet will further enhance efforts made in recent years to improve the safety, efficiency and effectiveness of our fleet,” Ms Talbert said. To find out more about Forestry Corporation firefighting visit www.forestrycorporation.com.au