Sawmilling and Timber Processing Project

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In recent years, sawmills and wood product facilities around Australia have experienced major technological advancements and the introduction of new production methods and equipment. This has seen a change in worker skill needs, with a shift towards skills in monitoring, optimising, and troubleshooting highly specialised automated technology that moves, scans, cuts and assembles timber components and products.This project will update the qualifications and skills standards in timber processing and wood manufactured products to incorporate current skills requirements and consolidate the number of qualifications and units to reduce complexity in the training system. This project will build on previous projects overseen by the Timber and Wood Processing IRC and Timber Building Solutions IRC, which focussed on supporting sawmill timber and process optimisation, cross laminated and prefabricated timber building systems, as well as timber truss and frame estimation and design.
The Australian Industry Skills Committee (AISC) approved this project, out of the 2021 Annual Update to the IRC Skills Forecast and Proposed Schedule of Work for the Australian Forest and Wood Products Industry (see pages 44-48).The Timber and Wood Processing Industry Reference Committee (IRC) will oversee this project as part of their responsibility to support engagement with the sector, and to ensure the project meets industry stakeholder needs.Skills Impact and ForestWorks will manage this project, consistent with the 2012 Standards for Training Package Development.Download Project Proposal (see page 44-48) 

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The sawmilling and engineered wood products sectors have undergone rapid digital transformation and technical progress as industry works to provide environmentally sustainable solutions for building construction. Sawmills and other wood product facilities are investing in and integrating state-of-the-art equipment into workplaces to produce innovative products, including cross laminated timber (CLT) and glue laminated timber (GLT). As a result, the job roles of operators have evolved, requiring updated skills to work with new equipment and produce versatile mass timber products.Feedback from industry has indicated that the current qualifications and skills standards for sawmilling, timber processing and wood manufactured products require updating to reflect developments in technology and processes in the Australian timber and wood products sectors. Consultation will take place throughout the project to capture the skills required for operating and monitoring automated wood processing technologies and continuous drying kilns, including the use of programmable logic controllers. Consideration will also be given to current skill needs in optimising output and identifying, analysing and rectifying potential issues that may arise throughout new processes. Current industry standards in quality control and meeting Chain of Custody requirements will also be reviewed and included in the qualifications and units.
Along with updating the qualifications to meet current and future industry skill needs, consideration will be given to simplifying training delivery. It is proposed that this is achieved through the consolidation of qualifications at Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) levels II and III, so that there is one timber and wood processing qualification at each of these levels, with specialisations to allow learners to focus on a particular skill area. Specialisations would cover the skills required for mass timber prefabrication (CLT and Glulam), veneer-based production (plywood and LVL) and manufacturing boards from wood particles or fibres (particleboard and MDF), as well as other wood products.
Project Scope
Five qualifications, 48 units of competency and four skill sets related to sawmilling and processing and timber manufactured products will be reviewed as part of this project. Consultation will take place to define the skills needed to operate highly specialised automated equipment and perform current processes. Up to eight new units may be developed and units with low enrolments will be assessed for industry need.
Relevant Occupations
  • Timber and wood processing operators
  • Timber and wood processing supervisors
  • Timber and wood processing technicians
 
Project Team
Georgiana DaianProject Manager, ForestWorks[email protected]
Michelle ClaytonIRC and Industry Engagement Manager, ForestWorks[email protected]
Rob StowellIndustry Skills Standard Contractor
Timeline
August 2021 Initial scopingSept 2021 – Feb 2021 Development of draft qualifications, skill sets and unitsMarch – April 2022 Drafts available for broad consultationApril 2022 Validation of final draftsMay 2022 Finalisation of Training Package componentsMay – July 2022 Independent Quality Assurance, and Edit and Equity review of Training Package componentsJuly 2022 IRC consideration for sign-off and submission for endorsement
 
Subject Matter Experts 
Subject Matter Experts will be drawn on throughout this project to help review and draft the revised units, skill sets and qualifications.If you are interested in applying to be a subject matter expert and are able to volunteer your time to this project, please email details of your expertise to [email protected]
Opportunities for stakeholder input
Those with experience and knowledge in timber and wood processing, who are able to describe the skills needed for this industry are invited to engage with this project.It is important that training provides a skilled and flexible workforce for the future. The units need to reflect real work experience. So, if you work in the sector, Skills Impact and ForestWorks welcome your input and assistance.Stakeholder input is appreciated throughout the duration of this project. The documents will be drafted in consultation with Subject Matter Experts and their networks. Opportunities to provide targeted feedback will occur when the draft materials are made available in March-April 2022, and again for validation of final drafts in April 2022. However, your feedback is welcomed at any time, and will help us in drafting the qualifications, skill set and units.Please feel free to register your interest for project updates and consultation opportunities by following the newsletter subscription link below. Alternatively, please feel free to contact the project manager, Georgiana Daian on 0413 660 987 or [email protected].
Stakeholder Consultation Process
A list of key stakeholder organisations has been identified for this project. Skills Impact and ForestWorks will ensure contact is made with each of these organisations during the development of this project to seek their involvement and their views on the draft qualifications, skill sets and units.If you are aware of an organisation that you think should be involved, please contact the project team to ensure they are contacted by us.Of course, all and any interested industry participants are encouraged to engage in the consultation of this project, when the draft qualifications, skill sets and units are available for feedback via this webpage and workshops that take place around Australia. Consultation is not limited to the organisations on this list. This list simply helps us to identify those organisations that, because of their industry role, size or specialty, are likely to have a key interest in the development and outcomes of this project. 

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Rapid digital transformation and technical progress are shifting the skills needs of the sawmilling and engineered wood products sectors. Workplaces are integrating state-of-the-art equipment into workplaces to produce innovative products, including cross laminated timber (CLT) and glue laminated timber (GLT). Operators require the skills to work with new equipment and produce versatile mass timber products.As a result of these developments the qualifications and skills standards for sawmilling, timber processing and wood manufactured products require updating. Consultation is taking place with industry experts to capture the skills required for new processes, including optimising output and troubleshooting. They have identified the need to improve employees’ general, transferable skills. These include team and individual work, problem solving and equipment maintenance as well as skills that support compliance with safety, chain of custody and environmental requirements.
Feedback has indicated that mills invest extensively in technology and require process operators, line technicians and production supervisors with skills in quality assurance, routine maintenance, process monitoring and continuous improvement. There is also a need for knowledge of production processes and work flows in work environments such as sawmills, log yards, CLT/GLT plants, plywood/LVL plants and/or MDF/PB plants, so that operators are able to support quality improvement, participate in problem-solving processes and understand the reasons for particular work operations and processes.Along with updating the qualifications to meet current and future industry skill needs, consideration will be given to making the qualifications more flexible and more able to be delivered by training providers. It is proposed that this could be achieved through the consolidation of qualifications at Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) levels II and III, so that there is one timber and wood processing qualification at each of these levels, with specialisations to allow learners to focus on a particular skill area. At this stage, it is envisaged that specialisations will be available in mass timber prefabrication (CLT and Glulam), veneer-based production (plywood and LVL) and manufacturing boards from wood particles or fibers (particleboard and MDF), as well as other wood products.
Development outcomes and next steps
Broad stakeholder consultation is scheduled to commence in March 2022, when draft qualifications and units of competency will be made available for feedback on this webpage. Your input is welcome, please feel free to register your interest to keep informed of project updates and when draft materials are available for feedback by following the newsletter subscription link below.  

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The timber and wood products industry makes a substantial contribution to our economy through primary processing operations that convert logs into a range of timber products and through downstream timber processing activities that generate a range of engineered wood products.Industry has been investing in technology to increase productivity and produce innovative products, including cross laminated timber (CLT) and glue laminated timber (GLT). Industry feedback has indicated that updated skills are required in current timber and wood production workplaces, which need process operators, line technicians, and production supervisors who:
  • are thoroughly familiar with the operation of sawmills, log yards and wood product processing plants
  • have a sound understanding of health, safety, environment protection,
  • have skills to perform some types of equipment maintenance and quality processes
  • possess effective communication, decision making and teamwork skills
  • can contribute to problem-solving processes and understand the reasons that underlie production processes and requirements.
Thank you to those who provided feedback on the revised set of qualifications and units of competency that were available on this webpage for comment from 14 February to 23 March 2022. The draft qualifications and units as they appeared at this time and any comments made are still available to view below.They were redesigned to meet current skill needs, facilitate efficient training delivery and provide clear career pathways for school leavers, new entrants to the industry and existing workers.Feedback was sought on whether the draft qualifications and units of competency reflect industry’s current skills needs, standards and practices and whether job roles, terminology and technology are accurately described and referenced.Additionally, feedback was sought about specific skill sets that may be required for rapidly upskilling or reskilling people for a specific work task or for enabling an entry pathway to further training.Your feedback will inform further updates to the drafts, after which they will be made available again for your consideration and validation during April 2022.

Restructured Qualifications

The four qualifications at the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level 2 and 3 were consolidated into one qualification at each level. The qualification at AQF level 4 was reviewed and updated. This resulted in a Certificate II in Timber and Wood Products Operations, a Certificate III in Timber and Wood Products Operations (with specialisations) and a Certificate IV in Timber and Wood Products Operations.Under the proposed redeveloped qualifications those seeking a Certificate III in Timber and Wood Products Operations can choose from specialisations in timber production, glue laminated timber or cross laminated timber production, plywood or laminated veneer lumber production, and reconstituted wood panel production.Learners can also focus on skills or tasks that are important to the industry now and in the future, such as:
  • planning, supervising and evaluating log yard operations, log processing operations, dry mill operations, or wood-based product operations
  • collecting, preparing and testing samples of laminated wood products or finger jointed timber, analysing test results to identify production issues, and adjusting processes as necessary
  • developing specialised operational knowledge to support quality and problem-solving processes, either across log yard operations or own production operations such as veneer production for plywood or laminated veneer lumber (LVL) manufacture, plywood or laminated veneer lumber production, and glue laminated timber (GLT) or cross laminated timber (CLT) production
  • assessing the types and applications of glues and gluing systems used in the production of wood products.
Several units of competency were also added to the qualification on chain of custody certification principles for operators, senior operational staff, and internal auditors, and mechanical skills for saw technicians, line technicians, and production supervisors.All proposed qualifications, whether entry level or high level, include subjects to help people learn basic skills applicable across manufacturing jobs or occupations. These skills include applying effective manufacturing work practices, achieving work outcomes, performing minor equipment maintenance, participating in continuous improvement, using structured problem-solving tools, performing tasks to support production, organising personal work priorities, and working in teams.For more details and explanations about what changes were made, please download the summary of changes document
Qualification code and nameProposed changes/rationaleLink
FWP2XX22 Certificate II in Timber and Wood Products OperationsThe Certificate II in Timber and Wood Products Operations describes the job roles of people who support production processes in a timber or wood product production facility. It is also designed for learners involved in school-based VET traineeships and other VET in school programs focused on the production of timber and wood products.Replaces:
  • FWP20316 Certificate II in Sawmilling and Processing
  • FWP20516 Certificate II in Timber Manufactured Products
View draft qualification
FWP3XX22 Certificate III in Timber and Wood Products OperationsThe Certificate III in Timber and Wood Products Operations describes the job roles of people who work at the production level in a timber or wood product production facility. This qualification offers specialisations in:
  • Timber Production
  • Glue Laminated Timber or Cross Laminated Timber Production
  • Plywood or Laminated Veneer Lumber Production
  • Reconstituted Wood Panel Production.
The specialisations offer more training options, clear career pathways into a range of forestry roles and flexibility to choose from a range of career pathways, including the possibility to complete additional specialisations with a minimum number of units.Replaces:
  • FWP30316 Certificate III in Sawmilling and Processing
  • FWP30516 Certificate III in Timber Manufactured Products
View draft qualification
FWP4XX22 Certificate IV in Timber and Wood Products OperationsThe Certificate IV in Timber and Wood Products Operations describes the job roles of production supervisors and technicians who work in a timber or wood products production facility.Additional changes to all of the above qualifications include:
  • A new qualification title
  • Packaging rules revised
  • Number of core units reduced
  • Structure (groups) of elective units revised
  • Elective units imported from other training packages
  • New elective units added
  • Existing elective units revised
Replaces FWP40216 Certificate IV in Timber Processing		View draft qualification
The draft documents can be downloaded in Microsoft Word format by clicking here

Units of Competency

Significant changes were proposed to the timber and wood products units of competency, including:
  • the development of nine units of competency to address gaps across the qualifications and to meet skills needs and specialist knowledge need at all levels
  • importing from other training packages to improve transferability of skills and develop foundation skills
  • updating, consolidating and redeveloping 50 existing units of competency to reflect current industry jobs and work tasks
  • three units proposed for deletion due to no enrolments during recent years, duplication in the system or tasks not applicable or relevant to operator skills.
For more details and explanations about what changes were made, please download the summary of changes document
Revised unit code and nameApplicationLink
FWPTMM4XXX Plan for and supervise engineered wood product productionThis unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to plan, coordinate, and evaluate the manufacture of engineered wood products including plywood, laminated veneer lumber (LVL), particleboard, medium-density fibreboard (MDF), cross laminated timber (CLT) and glue laminated timber (GLT) production.View draft unit
The draft documents can be downloaded in Microsoft Word format by clicking here
Revised unit code and nameReplaced/merged unit/sProposed changes/rationaleLink
FWPCOT4XXX Plan for and supervise log yard operationsFWPCOT4205 Coordinate log debarking operationsRedeveloped to address skills and knowledge required to plan log yard operations according to schedules and performance indicators, supervise plant operations, manage log stock, monitor and assess log yard processes and identify process improvement.View draft unit
FWPSAW4XXX Plan for and supervise log processing operationsFWPSAW4202 Plan and monitor saw log operationsRedeveloped to address skills and knowledge required to plan and supervise log processing operations in sawn product, veneer or wood chip production.View draft unit
FWPSAW4XXX Plan for and coordinate timber drying operationsFWPSAW4203 Coordinate timber drying operationsEdited/updated for including a new element that focuses on evaluation of timber drying and clarifying other sections of the unit.View draft unit
FWPSAW4XXX Plan for and supervise timber dry mill operationsFWPSAW4205 Plan and monitor timber conversionRedeveloped to address skills and knowledge required to plan, supervise and evaluate the dry mill operations of a timber processing facility.View draft unit
FWPSAW4XXX Plan for and supervise timber treatment plant operationsFWPSAW4201 Plan and monitor timber treatment plant operationsEdited/updated for including a new element to address maintenance requirements for treatment plants and clarifying other sections of the unit.View draft unit
FWPTMM4XXX Plan for and coordinate timber product assemblyFWPCOT4203 Plan and coordinate product assemblyEdited for clarifying scope of work, performance evidence and other unit sections.  View draft unit
The draft documents can be downloaded in Microsoft Word format by clicking here
New unit code and nameApplicationLink
FWPCOT3XXX Develop knowledge of chain of custody certification requirements for forest and wood productsThis unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to recognise the purpose of chain of custody certification in the wood and forest products industry, identify workplace chain of custody policy, procedures and documentation and check for potential non-compliance with certification requirements in own area of work.View draft unit
FWPCOT4XXX Assess requirements of chain of custody certification scheme for forest and wood productsThis unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to identify and review the requirements of a chain of custody certification schemes operated by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) for application in a forest or wood products business.View draft unit
FWPCOT4XXX Conduct internal audit of chain of custody certification for forest and wood productsThis unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to plan and implement an internal audit of chain of custody certification in a forest or wood products business.View draft unit
The draft documents can be downloaded in Microsoft Word format by clicking here
New unit code and nameApplicationLink
FWPCOT3XXX Communicate effectively with public members or stakeholders concerned about forest practicesThis unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to communicate effectively with members of the public or external stakeholders who are concerned about forest practices in a variety of settings. This may include protests, complaints and verbal dissent expressed in social and community situations, on social media, and in the workplace or forest worksite.View draft unit
The draft documents can be downloaded in Microsoft Word format by clicking here
Unit code and nameApplicationLink
FWPCOT4XXX Apply principles of pneumatics and hydraulics to analyse potential equipment failuresThis new unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to apply the basic principles and applications of hydraulic and pneumatic systems and components of forest and wood products equipment to analyse potential pneumatic and/or hydraulic failures for supporting maintenance processes.View draft unit
FWPCOT3XXX Conduct operator level equipment maintenance in forest and wood products industryReplaces FWPCOT3224 Plan and monitor equipment maintenanceUnit redesigned to emphasise operator level equipment maintenance, including the addition of a new Element 2 for shutting down and isolating equipment. Includes content from previous unit. Major changes to all sections of the unit.View draft unit
The draft documents can be downloaded in Microsoft Word format by clicking here
Revised unit code and nameReplaced/merged unit/sProposed changes/rationaleLink
FWPCOT3XXX Grade wood product visually 
  • FWPCOT3240 Grade heavy structural/engineered products
  • FWPCOT3284 Grade, sort and mark timber materials
  • FWPSAW2201 Grade round poles and debarked logs
Consolidated. The unit describes skills and knowledge required to visually assess wood product characteristics and defects from the production process and establish whether the strength and/or appearance properties of the product are consistent and within the grade specifications required for end-use application. View draft unit
FWPTMM4XXX Test laminated wood productFWPTMM4204 Sample and test products to specificationsRedeveloped to address skills and knowledge required to collect, prepare and test samples of laminated wood products, interpret test results for the identification of problems in production and implement necessary process adjustment.View draft unit
FWPTMM4XXX Test finger jointed timberFWPCOT3208 Test strength of jointsRedeveloped to address skills and knowledge required to collect, prepare and test samples of finger jointed timber, interpret test results for the identification of problems in production and implement necessary process adjustment.View draft unit
The draft documents can be downloaded in Microsoft Word format by clicking here
Revised unit code and nameReplaced/merged unit/sProposed changes/rationaleLink
FWPSAW3XXX Control and monitor automated green mill saw lineFWPSAW3249 Saw logs using CNC optimising systemsRedeveloped to address skills and knowledge required to control and monitor a fully automated saw line from the control room in the green mill to cut logs into green sawn timber.View draft unit
FWPSAW3XXX Operate conventional log breakdown saw lines
  • FWPSAW3230 Perform primary log breakdown
  • FWPSAW3231 Perform secondary log breakdown
  • FWPSAW3241 Set up and operate production saws used in sawmill operations
Consolidated. The unit covers skills and knowledge required to operate conventional breakdown saw line to saw logs as part of primary and secondary processing (green mill) operations in a sawmill.View draft unit 
FWPSAW3XXX Select and saw logs in multispecies operationsFWPSAW3250 Select and saw logs in multi-species operationsEdited/updated for including a new element to define tasks associated with log segregation and planning of flow of logs in and out of the sawing area and clarifying other unit sections.View draft unit
The draft documents can be downloaded in Microsoft Word format by clicking here
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