Timber sawmills are currently managed for higher efficiency and productivity targets to maintain their future competitiveness. Most companies have invested heavily in their operations to keep up with technical developments and production processes for maximum timber value and volume recovery. As a result, sawmills require a workforce with skills and knowledge in the application of technologies and processes for timber optimisation and material flow optimisation.

Sawmill timber and process optimisation were identified as key skills priorities in the 2018-2021 Forest and Wood Products IRC Skills Forecast and Proposed Schedule of Work (see pages 67-70). In addressing these skill needs, this project will identify new and improved units of competency to support skills in timber and process optimisation related to log sorting, sawing in the green mill, dry mill processing and grading and timber treatment. Skills Impact and the Timber and Wood Processing Industry Reference Committee (IRC) will manage this project, consistent with the 2012 Standards for Training Package Development.

Download the IRC Skills Forecast (see pages 67-70)

Project Scope

This project will improve and develop new units of competency to address skills requirements for optimisation of timber and material flow within sawmills.

Scroll down to view the list of units that are required to support skills in timber and process optimisation, related to the following stages of sawmill production processes:

1. Log sorting – Major developments have been made with log sorting to improve timber value recovery due to the advances in 3D, X-Ray and acoustic scanning technologies and software. Particular skills are required to operate the scanning technologies and software and to conduct correct calibrations.
2. Sawing in the green mill – At this stage, optimisation for value recovery occurs in two phases within the following processes:

• sawing: log alignment and positioning – activities include the set-up of optimising system by process controllers, sawdoctors and mechanical trades and operation of scanning and optimising system
• trimming and sorting.

Particular skills are required for each phase by both process controllers and sawdoctors.

3. Dry mill processing and grading – Dry mill systems are equipped with computers that allow optimisation decisions for timber value recovery when resawing timber. Skills are required to understand the cutting plan and product output mix, select the cutting programme and develop a cutting schedule to meet value recovery requirements. In addition, stress grade technology utilises acoustic, visual, X-Ray and bending to determine the structural characteristics of the full length of every single piece of timber.
4. Timber treatment – Major improvements in timber treatment techniques and processes have been made over recent years to ensure the durability, protection and performance of timber products. The industry requires units of competency in the current timber treatment processes. Adequate skills are also required for correct testing of treated timber.

Relevant Occupations

• Sawmill process controllers
• Sawdoctors
• Supervisors

Key deliverables

The project will develop a minimum of six new units of competency for operating timber optimisation technology and processes, at Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Levels 3 and 4. Eleven existing units of competency will be reviewed in line with the current sawmill timber and process optimisation practices.

Timeline

July – August 2018
Initial scoping

August – December 2019

Development of draft units of competency
(Technical Advisory Committee Consultations)

January – February 2019
Drafts available for broad consultation

March 2019
Validation of final drafts

April – June 2019
Finalisation of Training Package components and AISC submission

Project Team

Units of Competency

Below is a list of the units proposed for development and revision.

Technical Advisory Committee

A Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) will be established to provide technical input to the review and development of units. The TAC will be made up of members from key stakeholder organisations. TAC members are identified through nominations made by the IRCs and industry specialists with a genuine interest in the project.

If you are interested in applying to be a technical expert and are able to volunteer your time to this project, please contact us.

Opportunities for stakeholder input

Stakeholder input is appreciated throughout the duration of this project. The documents will be drafted in consultation with the TAC and their networks. Opportunities to provide targeted feedback will occur when the draft materials are made available in January and February 2019, and again for validation of final drafts in March 2019. However, your feedback is welcomed at any time, and will help us in drafting the units. 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 would love your input and help. 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 us.

The Timber and Wood Processing Industry Reference Committee (IRC) will oversee this project, as part of their responsibilities to support engagement with the sector, and to ensure the project meets industry stakeholder needs.

A Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) was established in late August 2018. TAC members met and supported a series of site visits to identify skills and knowledge needs regarding timber and process optimisation in sawmills. This information, combined with initial consultations with the TAC, has resulted in the proposed development of six new units of competency:

• FWPSAWXXXX Apply principles for timber and process optimisation in the sawmill
• FWPSAWXXXX Apply knowledge of timber properties, sawmill operations and sawmilling equipment
• FWPSAWXXXX Optimise timber production for volume and value recovery
• FWPSAWXXXX Monitor output timber for optimum volume and value recovery
• FWPSAWXXXX Use scanning equipment for timber grading
• FWPSAWXXXX Calibrate and maintain scanning equipment

Thank you to all those who provided feedback on the six new units of competency (developed across this project and the Advances in Woodmachining and Sawdoctoring Project) and 11 revised units of competency. The draft documents were available for review and feedback on this webpage, from 21 January – 20 February 2019.

The new units of competency have been developed to support production efficiencies in sawmills, particularly in relation to maximising the overall volume and value of timber recovery. The existing units of competency relate to the main stages of sawmill production processes. They have been revised to meet skill needs and to comply with the standards for training packages. One unit has been proposed for deletion.

Feedback was sought on whether the draft units reflect current industry skills standards, knowledge and practices and whether all job functions are accurately described. Feedback will inform the work on the final drafts which will be available for industry validation in late February 2019.

Thank you to those who participated in the validation process for the final draft units of competency. The documents were made available on the Skills Impact website from 25 February – 11 March 2019.

The final drafts will shortly progress through to the Finalisation stage of the project which includes quality assurance of the documents and review and feedback from the State/Territory Training Authorities. They will then be forwarded to the Timber and Wood Processing Industry Reference Committee for consideration and sign off, before being 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 documents are logical and factually accurate. 

Download Summary of Feedback, Responses and Actions