Forest Harvesting Optimisation Project

Menu: Click across the green arrows to view active and completed project stages. Consultation takes place at every stage of the project.

Case for change

This project will look at updating units of competency in line with current forest harvesting optimisation technology and the impact on processes.

Training Package Projects are established only when a Case For Change has been approved by the Australian Industry Skills Committee (AISC), in line with the National Schedule. Following this approval, Skills Impact and the IRC take the Training Package Project through a process that adheres to the 2012 Standards for Training Package Development.

Download the case for change

Project overview

Project Scope

The project involves the following two components:

  1. Modifications to 13 relevant harvesting units of competency from the FWP – Forest and Wood Products Training Package to incorporate best practice principles in forest harvest operations.
  2. Development of a new unit of competency in the FWP Forest and Wood Products Training Package covering the use and application of on board optimisation systems and computers in mechanical harvesting.

Register your interest in the project

By registering your interest, you will be informed of project updates and when draft materials are available for feedback.

 

Timeline

Jan-Feb 2017
Undertake desktop analysis to identify possible gaps in relevant training package components

Apr-May 2017
Undertake 1st stage of consultation with Technical Advisory Committee; Update / develop draft training package components; Undertake 2nd stage of consultation with Technical Advisory Committee; Brief Industry Reference Committee on the draft components

Jul 2017
Undertake consultation with broader stakeholder group; Obtain sign-off from Industry Reference Committee

Aug-Sep 2017
Prepare draft Case for Endorsement; Update Implementation Guide; Undertake editorial and equity report; Undertake QA process; Circulate to State Training Authorities

Oct 2017
Submit to AISC for endorsement

Nov 2017
Upload to training.gov.au

 

Methodology
  1. Expertise input and consultation
  2. Training Package component drafting
  3. Industry validation
  4. Independent quality assurance and access and equity review
  5. Industry Reference Committee (IRC) Sign-off
  6. Submission for endorsement to the AISC

 

Project Team

Georgiana Daian, Research and Project Manager, Skills Impact [email protected]

Antoinette Hewitt, Training Package Project Manager, Skills Impact

Ruth Geldard, Training Package Specialist, ForestWorks

Helen Foote, Training Package Development Manager, Skills Impact

 

Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Membership
Adan TaylorGMT Logging
Andrew SandersonForestry Corporation of NSW
Chris PhillipsHancock Victorian Plantations
Colin McCullochARBRE training hub / Kevin Morgan Group
Damian WalshMargules Groom Consulting
Gavin DohntLV Dohnt
Ian ReidAustimber
Martin CrevatinPF Olsen (Australia)
Wayne MillerPlantation Harvesting

Development

Thank you to those who provided feedback on the draft units of competency and skill sets. The drafts were made available on the Skills Impact website from 2 June – 30 July.

The feedback will inform the work on the final drafts which will be available for industry validation late July.

The draft units and skill sets that are under review are listed below.

Feedback was sought on the content of 10 proposed new units, 12 improved existing units and the structure of 2 new skill sets, to ensure they reflect the current occupational skills needs of industry.

 

 

Based on recommendations by the TAC, new units of competency are being developed to provide an integrated approach to training machine operators for efficiency in saw log production. These include:

  • 8 new machine operator units, which also cover process optimisation and productivity for saw log production. New skill requirements include approaches to minimise log damage, use of GPS systems, segregation and stacking, product identification, presentation of logs and knowledge of log quality characteristics.
  • 2 new units for the use of on-board computers for single grip harvester and forwarder.
FWPHAR3XXX Operate feller buncher for optimised saw log production processes
FWPHAR3XXX Operate single grip harvester for optimised saw log production processes
FWPHAR3XXX Operate forwarder for optimised saw log production processes
FWPHAR3XXX Operate crawler tractor for optimised saw log production processes
FWPHAR3XXX Operate skidder for optimised saw log production processes
FWPHAR3XXX Operate yarder for optimised saw log production processes
FWPHAR3XXX Operate excavator with log grapple for optimised saw log production processes
FWPHAR3XXX Operate loader for optimised saw log production processes
FWPHARXXXX Use on-board computer systems for single grip harvester
FWPHARXXXX Use on-board computer systems for forwarder

 

FWPHAR3207 Operate feller buncher
FWPHAR3214 Operate single grip harvester
FWPHAR3206 Operate forwarder
FWPHAR3216 Operate crawler tractor
FWPHAR3217 Operate skidder
FWPHAR3211 Operate yarder
FWPHAR3219 Operate excavator with log grapple
FWPHAR3218 Operate loader
FWPCOT2223 Segregate and sort logs
FWPCOT3223 Grade and mark logs
FWPHAR3210 Conduct mechanical processor operations
FWPCOT2226 Debark logs mechanically

 

The following new skills sets have been recommended.

Skills set nameUnits within skill set
FWPSSXXXXX Skill set for saw log production optimisation using a single grip harvester
  • FWPHAR3XXX Operate single grip harvester for optimised saw log production processes
  • FWPHAR3XXX Use on-board computer for single grip harvester
FWPSSXXXXX Skill set saw log production optimisation using a forwarder
  • FWPHAR3XXX Operate forwarder for optimised saw log production processes
  • FWPHAR3XXX Use on-board computer for forwarder

Existing unit, FWPHAR3208 Conduct boom delimber operations, has been proposed for deletion as the technology is no longer used in Australia.

 

Potential New Project

Please note that the need to develop the following new units and skill sets was identified during the development phase of this project. This additional work has been documented in the Issues Register and will be considered by the Industry Reference Committee to become a potential new project in the future.

  • 3 new units for wood chipping operations
    • Operate excavator with log grapples for feeding logs into mobile chipper
    • Operate a heavy production flail and chipper combination
    • Operate a flail debarker
  • 1 new skill set for in-field chipping
  • 1 new skill set for cable logging

 

Register your interest in the project

By registering your interest, you will be informed of project updates and when draft materials are available for feedback.

Validation

Thank you to those who participated in the validation process for the final draft units of competency. The consultation period for this validation stage of the project is now closed.

The final drafts have been forwarded to the Forest Management and Harvesting Industry Reference Committee (IRC) for sign off. After final quality assurance of the drafts, they will be submitted to the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) to consider and approve for publication on training.gov.au

Validation means checking and confirming that the units are logical and factually accurate. Industry views were sought on whether the final draft units of competency reflected the current occupational skill standards and needs of industry. The final draft units that were available for industry validation are listed below. A summary of the feedback that was received during the consultation period between 2 June – 30 July and a description of its consideration and application in the final drafts can also downloaded below, along with a summary of the changes that have been made to existing units of competency.

The 2 new units below cover skills required for the use of on-board computers for single grip harvester and forwarder.

Feedback from industry was that there was no need to have separate units for operating harvesting machines for saw log and pulp log production. Machine operator units were updated to cover the various skills in optimisation, which include approaches to minimise log damage, segregation and stacking, product identification, presentation of logs and knowledge of log quality characteristics. The Technical Advisory Committee agreed and supported the solution to describe optimisation requirements in terms of meeting ‘production plan requirements’ or ‘production systems’, whether it is for sawlog or pulp log production.

FWPHAR3223 Use on-board computer systems for single grip harvesterDownload final draft unit
FWPHAR3222 Use on-board computer systems for forwarderDownload final draft unit

 

FWPHAR3226 Operate feller buncherDownload final draft unit
FWPHAR3229 Operate single grip harvesterDownload final draft unit
FWPHAR3227 Operate forwarderDownload final draft unit
FWPHAR3224 Operate crawler tractorDownload final draft unit
FWPHAR3230 Operate skidderDownload final draft unit
FWPHAR3231 Operate yarderDownload final draft unit
FWPHAR3225 Operate excavator with log grappleDownload final draft unit
FWPHAR3228 Operate loaderDownload final draft unit
FWPCOT2223 Segregate and sort logsDownload final draft unit
FWPCOT3223 Grade and mark logsDownload final draft unit
FWPHAR3210 Conduct mechanical processor operationsDownload final draft unit
FWPCOT2226 Debark logs mechanicallyDownload final draft unit

 

Feedback from industry during the development stage has been that there is no longer a need for new skill sets, because it would be a duplication of the existing FWPSS00019 Skill set for a single grip harvester operator and FWPSS00013 Skill set for a forwarder operator. The two existing skill sets will be updated with the revised machine operator units.

 

Existing unit, FWPHAR3208 Conduct boom delimber operations, has been proposed for deletion as the technology is no longer used in Australia.

 

 

 

Register your interest in the project

By registering your interest, you will be informed of project updates.

 

Potential New Project

Please note that the need to develop the following new units and skill sets was identified during the development phase of this project. This additional work has been documented in the Issues Register and will be considered by the Industry Reference Committee to become a potential new project in the future.

  • 1 new unit for technicians programming the cutting instruction files
  • 1 new unit for operating an excavator with log grapple for debarking
  • 3 new units for wood chipping operations
    • Operate excavator with log grapples for feeding logs into mobile chipper
    • Operate a heavy production flail and chipper combination
    • Operate a flail debarker
  • 1 new skill set for in-field chipping
  • 1 new skill set for cable logging
  • new units for fatigue management (fit for work) in forestry and harvesting operations.

 

Finalisation

The Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) has approved the Case for Endorsement for the updated and revised units of competency, along with a Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

The revised units will be released on to training.gov.au by the end of January, contained within the FWP Forest and Wood Products Training Package.

Once published on training.gov.au, the units will be available for use by registered training organisations (RTOs).

The FWP Companion Volume Implementation Guide contains key information to help training providers implement the units, skill sets and qualifications in the FWP Forest and Wood Products Training Package. It includes the key work and training requirements in the industry; regulation and licensing implications for implementation; pathways advice; industry sectors and occupational outcomes of qualifications; and advice on workplace health and safety implications.

Please find below copies of the documents that were endorsed by the AISC.

FWPHAR3223 Use on-board computer systems for single grip harvesterDownload unit
FWPHAR3222 Use on-board computer systems for forwarderDownload unit

FWPHAR3226 Operate feller buncherDownload unit
FWPHAR3229 Operate single grip harvesterDownload unit
FWPHAR3227 Operate forwarderDownload unit
FWPHAR3224 Operate crawler tractorDownload unit
FWPHAR3230 Operate skidderDownload unit
FWPHAR3231 Operate yarderDownload unit
FWPHAR3225 Operate excavator with log grappleDownload unit
FWPHAR3228 Operate loaderDownload unit
FWPCOT2224 Segregate and sort logsDownload unit
FWPCOT3270 Grade and mark logsDownload unit
FWPHAR3210 Conduct mechanical processor operationsDownload unit
FWPCOT2226 Debark logs mechanicallyDownload unit

 

Register your interest in the project

By registering your interest, you will be informed of project updates.

 

 

Release

Following endorsement by the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC), the final new and updated units of competency are now published on training.gov.au, which means they are available for use by registered training organisations (RTOs).

The revised qualifications, skill sets and units are embedded within the FWP Forest and Wood Products Training Package.

This project reviewed and developed units of competency to ensure they reflect the current occupational skills needs of industry. Two new units were developed for the use of on-board optimisation systems and computers in mechanical harvesting. Ten existing units were also reviewed and updated to reflect technological change and to incorporate best practice principles in forest harvest operations. For further details about the development of this project, please click on the green project arrows above.

Registered training organisations (RTOs) have 12 months to transition to deliver the new and updated qualification and units, from the date of publication. For more information, visit the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) website.

A Companion Volume Implementation Guide has also been produced to help training providers implement the new and revised units. This can be downloaded from VETNet.com.

Please see the Case for Endorsement for more information about the changes made:

 Download the Case for Endorsement

Please find below links to the final qualifications, skill sets and units on training.gov.au

FWPHAR3223 Use on-board computer systems for single grip harvesterView unit on training.gov.au
FWPHAR3222 Use on-board computer systems for forwarderView unit on training.gov.au

FWPHAR3226 Operate feller buncherView unit on training.gov.au
FWPHAR3229 Operate single grip harvesterView unit on training.gov.au
FWPHAR3227 Operate forwarderView unit on training.gov.au
FWPHAR3224 Operate crawler tractorView unit on training.gov.au
FWPHAR3230 Operate skidderView unit on training.gov.au
FWPHAR3231 Operate yarderView unit on training.gov.au
FWPHAR3225 Operate excavator with log grappleView unit on training.gov.au
FWPHAR3228 Operate loaderView unit on training.gov.au
FWPCOT2224 Segregate and sort logsView unit on training.gov.au
FWPCOT3270 Grade and mark logsView unit on training.gov.au
FWPHAR3210 Conduct mechanical processor operationsView unit on training.gov.au
FWPCOT2226 Debark logs mechanicallyView unit on training.gov.au

 

A companion volume has also been produced as part of this project:

  • The FWP Companion Volume Implementation Guide contains key information to help training providers implement the units, skill sets and qualifications in the FWP Forest and Wood Products Training Package. It includes the key work and training requirements in the industry; regulation and licensing implications for implementation; pathways advice; industry sectors and occupational outcomes of qualifications; and advice on workplace health and safety implications.

 

Companion Volume

Download the FWP Companion Volume Implementation Guide