Forest Products Industry

Through 2022/23 Timber Training Creswick (RTOid 4168) has been working on new courses and course content for delivery to industry. Source: Timberbiz Fire Management Training for Tasmania: In 2023 Timber Training Creswick developed and ran a pilot program for Certificate II in public safety (firefighting operations).  The program involves four days of theory delivery with some practical followed by work placement requirements for participants to get real experience over the fire season. Cutting Edge Program- Queensland A new 2-day Sector Commander training program has been developed and a pilot program is scheduled for February. In conjunction with Timber Queensland’s Canopy project (funded by DESBT) Timber Training Creswick has been delivering industry pre-employment training based on the FIVE+5 model developed by the Arbre Forest Industry Training and Careers Hub in Tasmania. The program uses local job seeker networks to pre-screen potential employment candidates who then undertake 5 days of structured theory training followed with 5x5hour shifts of work placement. For a pre-employment program, this course has an impressive completion and subsequent employment rate. Certificates III and IV in Timber and Wood Product Operations: From January Timber Training Creswick has commenced delivery of these new programs which have amalgamated the previous industry sectors of Sawmilling, Timber Manufactured Products and Wood Panel Products.  The new Certificates will be available via both block release and on site delivery where there are sufficient student numbers. Cadet Forester (CFP) and Next Generation of Harvesting Operators (NextGen) 2023 saw the pilot group of Next Generation Harvesting Operators complete their Certificate II in Forest Operations.  A new group of School based trainees is ready to commence the 2024 program and TTC looks forward to helping them prepare for a career in the industry.  The Cadet Forester Program is now in it’s sixth year and four graduates from earlier programs have now completed their Certificate IV in Forest Operations whilst working in industry. Certificates III and IV These programs have been revised and updated by trainer Andrew to incorporate modern BIM technology into the learning content. Coming Soon: Timber Preservation Course The Timber Training Creswick Timber Preservation course is currently being revised and updated.  Once complete it will be available as a web based learning program followed by on site assessment. Apprenticeship Programs (Wood machining and Saw Technician) We currently have record enrolments in these learning programs.  If you are thinking about putting on apprentices in these areas, please let us know as soon as possible. For more information on these or other courses please contact Timber Training Creswick on 0353452018.

The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) has provided feedback on the Government amendments to the Treasury Laws Amendment (Making Multinationals Pay Their Fair Share – Integrity and Transparency) Bill 2023 (Bill). AFPA has said that plantation forestry was never the intended target of the Bill and has been inadvertently captured in the drafting of the Bill. Source: Timberbiz As such, it is pleased to see some changes in the Government amendments to reduce the Bill’s negative impact on the Australian plantation forestry sector. However, AFPA remains concerned that the Bill (even with the Government amendments) will effectively cease plantation forestry expansion in Australia. The Bill (even with the Government amendments) is still contrary to the Albanese Government’s election commitments in relation to plantation forestry, is contrary to the Australian Labor Party Platform in relation to plantation forestry expansion, is contrary to the National Forestry Ministers meeting in relation to plantation forestry expansion and is contrary to international commitments made by the Australian Government. Currently, under the balance sheet method, plantation forestry companies could claim up to 60% of their debt costs. Under the Bill (including Government amendments), companies can only claim a deduction for financing costs up to 30% of their tax EBITDA with any disallowed deductions carried forward for up to 15 years. This will result in effectively ceasing plantation forestry expansion in Australia. AFPA is the peak national industry body representing the growing, processing, and pulp, paper and bioproduct industries covering the forest products value chain. Relevantly AFPA represents the interests of over 90% of Australia’s forestry grower entities. AFPA represents 25 forestry grower companies and government entities, 15 of which are impacted by the Bill. Over 80% of the plantation forestry grower companies are impacted by the Bill and its amendments. AFPA also represents the majority of large timber manufacturing companies and paper and cardboard manufacturers in Australia. Plantation forestry expansion is not only a priority for forest growers. Is the number one priority across the entire supply chain, including harvesting contractors, timber mills and paper manufacturers. Any effect on plantation expansion negatively impacts the entire supply chain including these downstream manufacturers, and severely limits Australia’s future capacity to supply the building industry’s timber needs for housing expansion, limits Australia’s action on climate change and Australia’s plan to replace fossil-fuel-based plastics. The full submission is available on the AFPA website https://ausfpa.com.au/