C

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

P

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.

Timeline

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

Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Membership

D

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. 

Potential New Project

• 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

V

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.auValidation 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.

Potential New Project

• 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.

F

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.