Many employers offer training plans to further your development in the industry. These training programmes are managed by FITEC and may be delivered on-the-job and / or through polytechnics or private training enterprises (PTE's).
Firstly you may need to work through an Occupation Safety and Health (OSH) introductory programme. You will also receive training for the job that you are doing. This training is the first stage of the Level 2 National Certificate.
For specific qualification information, look in National Qualifications on this website.
Level 2 National Certificates
Wood product manufacturing plants use a range of secondary processes to make products which add value to sawn timber and wood panels. Some plants may cut the knots from sawn timber and finger joint or laminate the clear pieces together to produce structural beams or panels. Other plants may use a number of processes to produce components for furniture, doors, window frames, boxes, or pallets; or products such as ceiling tiles or decorative wall panels. This is the entry level qualification dealing with basic skills and knowledge of the work of a wood product manufacturing plant.
Some employers offer Modern Apprenticeships. You could be eligible for a Modern Apprenticeship if:
- You are 16 to 21 years old when you start
- You meet the entry requirements for the industry
- You are ready to work towards a National Certificate at Level 3 or 4.
- Once you have completed Level 2, you can go on to other levels (whether or not you are in a Modern Apprenticeship), such as the Level 3 National Certificate.
As part of the programme, your employer commits to your Modern Apprenticeship, making sure that your training happens and helping with the cost. FITEC also covers some of the cost of the training and makes sure that the highest standards are maintained.
FITEC has Training Advisors who help set up the Modern Apprenticeship by putting your programme and achievement milestones together, then support you through it.
YARD HAND / DESPATCH
Prepares incoming timber for further processing. Shifts products between processes and wraps and straps the packs of finished product for transport.
PROCESS MACHINE OPERATOR
Assists with the sorting, feeding and machining of timber or panels.
GRADER / OPTIMISER OPERATOR
Grades, fills and sands as necessary to meet grading requirements.
FINGER JOINTER OPERATOR
Operates specialist finger jointing equipment.
TRAINEE SAW DOCTOR
Maintains and sharpens saws and knives used in wood product manufacture.
ASSISTANT DRYING/FORMING/GLUING OPERATOR
Assists in the operation of the production machines and manages the processes such as forming, drying and/or gluing, to ensure the product is made correctly. Monitors input quality, moisture content and technical aspects.
Level 3 National Certificates
A competent operator in the wood product manufacturing industry must be able to operate a number of machines and processes according to different customers' requirements. Qualifications at Level 3 covers the skills you need to do this and follow on from the Level 2 Certificates.
TIMBER MACHINIST
Operates the machine to produce timber mouldings according to customer requirements. Timber machinists dress rough sawn timber (as sawn from the log) to produce the customer's required product. Timber is gauged (dressed with four straight sides and corners usually rounded off for ease of handling) to produce framing timber, where the surface finish is not important; or sized (dressed on four sides (D4S) for accurate dimensions and a good painting or varnishing surface) for interior use on shelves or furniture.
FINGER JOINTING OPERATOR
Fabricates pieces of shook or defected wood to a specification that meets structural or appearance products.
LAMINATION OPERATOR
Fabricates layers of selected wood based on specific specification for end uses in either the structural or appearance markets.
GLUE TECHNICIAN / TESTER
Confirms the compliance of finger jointed or laminated products by quality assurance.
PALLET AND BOX MANUFACTURER
Makes low value products/wood material into packaging and pallets for numerous industries/sectors.
PRODUCT GRADER
Makes the decision about the grade of panels based on the features of each piece and the Grading Rules.
MACHINE CENTRE OPERATOR
Work on a specific machine and co-ordinates within a team the overall operation of that specific machine.
PLANER OPERATOR
Ensures all gauged, dressed or profiled product through a planer is maintained at an efficient level of quality and production.
Level 4 National Certificates
The level 4 qualifications may lead to further specialised jobs. Your performance in these roles may be enhanced by the Level 5 Diploma in Wood Manufacturing:
TIMBER MACHINIST
Operates the machine to produce timber mouldings according to customer requirements. Timber machinists dress rough sawn timber (as sawn from the log) to produce the customer's required product. Timber is gauged (dressed with four straight sides and corners usually rounded off for ease of handling) to produce framing timber, where the surface finish is not important; or sized (dressed on four sides (D4S) for accurate dimensions and a good painting or varnishing surface) for interior use on shelves or furniture.
PLANER MILL MANAGER
Facilitates the overall health and safety, quality and production of a planer operation.
SENIOR FINGER JOINTER OPERATOR
Facilitates the overall health and safety, quality and production of a finger jointing operation.
FINGER JOINTING SUPERVISOR
Co-ordinates the requirements met at a finger jointer by maintaining effective supervision.
SENIOR SAW DOCTOR
Saw doctors maintain the saws and other tools of the solid wood processing industry, keeping them sharp and set for fast and efficient wood cutting. To go on to the Level 4 Certificate which covers the skills and knowledge of a saw doctor in a commercial sawmill, you must first complete this Level 3 qualification.
SAW SHOP MANAGER
Facilitates the overall health and safety, quality and production of a saw shop operation. At Level 4 this qualification broadens the knowledge and skill base of experienced operators, prepares them for roles in supervision or technical support, and can lead on to the Diploma in Wood Manufacturing.
DRYING / FORMING / GLUING / OPERATOR
Operates the production machines and manages the processes such as forming, drying and/or gluing, to ensure the product is made correctly. Monitors input quality, moisture content and technical aspects.
FINGER JOINTING / LAMINATION MACHINIST
Monitors the machining, gluing and finishing processes to ensure that quality is maintained.
TECHNICIAN
Operates specialised equipment or does laboratory quality tests.
PRODUCT GRADER
Makes the decisions about the grade of product based on the features of each piece, and according to product specifications.
TEAM LEADER
May control a processing line and be responsible for training and health and safety.
Advancement is based on performance, attitude, experience and qualifications. More senior roles include:
PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR OR MANAGER
Responsible for all aspects of the plant operation, including product quality and quantity. Often also responsible for training, health and safety and environmental issues. In addition they ensure that machines are set up to produce the required grades.
OPERATIONS OR SITE MANAGER
Responsible for all aspects of the business including financial management, quality control, training, health and safety, and workforce development.
Level 5 Diploma in Wood Manufacturing
This qualification is designed for senior operational people in the wood processing industries (solid wood processing, wood panels manufacturing, or pulp and paper manufacturing). It is also open to school leavers and university graduates who can meet the entry requirements. Whatever aspect of wood processing you're in, the course will give you the skills and knowledge to optimise production processes, contribute to the technical development of wood-based businesses, and play a role in the development of operational staff.
This qualification covers excellence in wood based production, the impact of wood characteristics on product and process quality, and features of New Zealand's wood based industries. In addition there are a range of units covering business management skills.
After completing the Diploma in Wood Manufacturing, you may choose to continue your training by going on to a university degree. The Diploma may earn you some credits towards your degree, however this depends on the programme and is up to the university.