New pathway into Northland forestry jobs

Forestry is booming, and it is hiring now.

Forestry companies in Northland could benefit from new apprenticeship programmes designed to upskill workers ahead of predicted industry growth according to Fiona Kingsford, chief executive of industry training organisation Competenz.

The ITO has launched two forest harvesting apprentice-ships, one in manual operations and one in mechanised.

The programmes came at a time when the forestry sector was poised for growth following the Government's pledge in January to plant one billion new trees over the next 10 years, Ms Kingsford saying that with mechanisation increasing, the apprentices would gain key entry-level skills and knowledge before advancing to the operation of mechanised processors and harvesters.

More than 11,000 people were employed in the forestry sector last year, she said, and 4339 more would be needed by 2022 solely to replace those who retired or left.

"This year alone there is demand for up to 1000 workers nationally, and about 500 of those are needed to fill existing roles being vacated by people retiring or changing jobs," she added.

"Our forestry participation data show the Northland region could need another 74 forestry workers this year.

"A qualified workforce leads to greater efficiency, safety, productivity and profitability, and there's a lot of focus right now on the future of forestry — the goal to plant a billion trees, and investment through the Provincial Growth Fund. It is vital that our workforce is skilled and productive to meet the government's growth targets.

"Nearly 65 per cent of the forestry workforce has no post-school qualification, but we would like to see that number reduce.

"Training and education are essential as the sector is becoming more mechanised and moving into a period of rapid growth."

Ms Kingsford, who last week was appointed to the Forestry Ministerial Advisory Group, said the new apprenticeships had been designed with extensive input from the forestry sector. They fell within the Government's fees-free scheme, which made the first two years of industry training free for some.

"There's no better time for forestry companies to take on an apprentice," she added.

"For people new to forestry, or those already working in the industry but who haven't completed tertiary training before, this is a real opportunity to start getting qualified at no cost.

"Workers will grow their skills and knowledge, and gain NZQA-recognised qualifications, while learning on the job."