There are three entry levels of pre-employment training designed and administered by FITEC. Entry to these qualifications is based on criteria set by Skill New Zealand and/or the training provider:
For specific qualification information, look in National Qualifications on this website.
Level 2 National Certificates
These qualifications are available from a number of providers, including:
- Waiariki Institute of Technology
- NorthTec
- Telford Rural Polytechnic
Some of these providers offer the full qualification, while others offer units towards the qualification.
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.
Level 6 National Diploma in Forestry (Forest Management)
- The comprehensive skills and knowledge you need to manage a commercial plantation forest on a sustainable basis to meet the objectives of the forest owner.
- The scientific knowledge needed to understand soil nutrition and wood formation in trees.
- Practical skills related to growing a forest crop.
- The skills you need to manage the business of a forest enterprise.
- An excellent balance of practical skills and theoretical knowledge.
In addition there are a number of courses provided by polytechnics and private training enterprises (PTE's), which provide a good basis for seeking employment.
For administration / office roles, programmes include:
- Certificate in Business
- Certificate in Business Computing
- NZ Diploma in Business Administration
For the Trade Trainee roles, programmes include
- Electrical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
Doing training before looking for a job is likely to give you an advantage with employers as well as giving you more information about the forest industries sectors. Employers also look for:
- Proven work ethic
- Positive attitude and motivation to achieve and improve work skills
- Mental and physical ability
- Physical fitness
- Willingness to do further training
You can improve your chances of getting a job and your career prospects by having school qualifications and a positive employment history, even in after-school or holiday jobs.
Many employers offer training plans to further your development in the industry. These are managed, on behalf of the industry, by a number of Industry Training Organisations, including FITEC. They may be delivered on-the-job and / or through polytechnics or private training enterprises (PTEs).
Some employers offer Modern Apprenticeships for the Trade Trainee roles. You could be eligible for an 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 Levels 3 or 4.
As part of the programme, your employer commits to your Modern Apprenticeship, making sure that your training happens and helping with the cost. The appropriate Industry Training Organisation also covers some of the cost of the training and makes sure that the highest standards are maintained.
Depending on the sector you are working in, Level 2 National Certificate qualifications offered by FITEC, would provide an excellent knowledge base.
In addition, there are a range of programmes offered by private training enterprises (PTEs) and polytechnics that may be useful in your chosen occupation.
For administration / office roles, programmes include:
- Certificate in Business
- Certificate in Business Computing
- NZ Diploma in Business Administration
For the Trade Trainee roles, programmes include:
- Electrical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
As you gain more experience and qualifications, you may be able to progress to more advanced roles. The number and scope of jobs available will depend on the size and nature of the business in which you are working. In smaller plants, one person is often responsible for a range of activities, while in larger plants you may have more chance to specialise in a particular area of interest.
Advancement is based on performance, attitude, experience and qualifications. More senior roles include:
OFFICE MANAGEMENT
Manages all admin activities of the office - reception, word processing, accounts, and wages. Often responsible for business reporting e.g. Health and Safety statistics.
MAINTENANCE COORDINATOR
Qualified tradesperson, responsible for supervising apprentices and coordinating preventive and emergency maintenance.
DESPATCH / STORES PERSON
Manages the despatch / stores functions. Often communicates with production to make sure there is a match between production, storage and transport.
TECHNICAL ANALYST
Assists with or manages information systems, training, health and safety, environmental or specialist technical / research roles. May be involved with developing new processes and products.
ACCOUNTANT (FINANCIAL OR MANAGEMENT)
Analysis and presentation of budgets and costs. Ensures legal requirements such as tax, PAYE and ACC are met.
HUMAN RESOURCES
Manages employment and industrial issues, responsible for training, health and safety and implementation of company policy.
SUPPLY CHAIN / LOGISTICS / PLANNING ANALYST
Analyses processes to make sure they are efficient and identifies opportunities for improvement in all aspects of the business.
CUSTOMER SERVICES / MARKETING / SALES
Deals with and manages customer orders. May be involved with product or market research and development.
RESEARCH WORKER
Analyses wood characteristics and their impact on manufacturing options. Works closely with industry to help come up with solutions to their problems.
AREA MANAGER (HR, MARKETING, LOGISTICS, ACCOUNTS, STORES, TECHNICAL, MAINTENANCE ETC)
Responsible for the activities and staff of a function. Often has to set and manage a budget. Liases with production to ensure company, customer and legal requirements are met.
Level 3 National Certificates
Some of the more advanced qualifications for these roles are designed and administered by FITEC:
Credit Administration
This covers the skills required to work in credit administration. This includes interviewing, credit evaluation, debt collection and telephone skills together with a range of other relevant elective topics.
The qualification is mainly intended for on-the-job assessment, ensuring knowledge of three core credit units, and supporting electives. This qualification leads to specialised credit management with the proposed National Certificate in Credit Management (Level 4).
Materials Management
The National Certificate in Materials Management (Level 3) is the basic qualification for people working in materials management at manufacturing or other industrial sites.
It covers these compulsory areas:
- Basic knowledge of storage and materials handling at manufacturing and other industrial sites
- Receiving and processing inwards goods and materials
- Storing, issuing, dispatching and returning goods and materials
- Monitoring inventory
- Application of safety practices in materials management.
Most of the compulsory unit standards are designed for learning and assessment on-the-job, with a small amount of classroom or distance learning.
First Line Management (Communications and Quality)
This is the first of two qualifications for people training to be team leaders, supervisors, charge hands, or first line managers. The compulsory section covers the essential communication and quality management skills required, while the elective section allows people to choose from a diverse range of topics. Knowledge and skills covered in the elective section include interpersonal skills, inventory, first line management, quality management, writing and adult education and training.
This qualification can be a stepping stone to the National Certificate in First Line Management (Level 4) and other qualifications in the business field.
Occupational Health and Safety
This qualification is designed to meet the needs of people in all areas of industry. It covers basic workplace health and safety as well as recognising specialist knowledge needed for specific workplace safety and health issues. Unit standards from below level three are included as they provide foundational skills.
The qualification is designed to be flexible so that relevant subjects can be covered to meet the needs of people from different areas of industry. People doing this qualification would typically be new to the industry or wishing to update their skills and knowledge.
Level 4 National Certificates
First Line Management
This programme covers the skills and knowledge needed by people working as, or hoping to work as, team leaders, supervisors, charge hands, or first line managers. They may be responsible for managing people, resources, and/or projects. The flexible structure of the qualification enables people and organisations to select topics that meet the diverse needs of a wide range of industries.
This qualification can be a stepping stone to further qualifications in the Business and Financial Services field, including business administration, quality management, small business, Maori business, and generic business.
Credit Management
This programme covers the skills required to work in credit management. It includes credit evaluation and managing credit facilities together with a range of relevant electives.
This qualification is intended to follow on from the National Certificate in Credit Administration (Level 3), which recognises broad introductory skills in credit administration and management.
Adult Education
The National Certificate in Adult Education and Training (Level 4) is designed for people delivering and/or assessing adult education and training. The qualification covers the delivery and assessment of adult education and training and has the flexibility to cater for different personal, work, and skill needs.
This qualification may stand alone, or lead on to the National Certificate in Adult Education and Training (Level 5).
Business Administration
This national certificate covers the core business administration skills required in a broad range of jobs and workplaces. The programme is also flexible in that it can be tailored to meet individual skill needs. This reflects the diverse roles required to meet the business administration and IT needs of industry and the business community at a senior level. The qualification provides recognition of a senior level of competence, knowledge and skills and can lead on to further education and training.
The structure of the qualification allows providers and employers the flexibility of tailoring programmes to meet individual skill needs that reflect the diverse roles and positions required to meet business administration and information technology needs of industry and the business community at a senior level. The specified credits recognise the need for underpinning skills, knowledge, and competence expected of all business administration role holders at this level.
This is the third of four qualifications in business administration for those seeking employment and/or further education through an accredited provider or through work-based training programmes.
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.
Level 6 National Diploma in Forestry (Forest Management)
- The comprehensive skills and knowledge you need to manage a commercial plantation forest on a sustainable basis to meet the objectives of the forest owner.
- The scientific knowledge needed to understand soil nutrition and wood formation in trees.
- Practical skills related to growing a forest crop.
- The skills you need to manage the business of a forest enterprise.
- An excellent balance of practical skills and theoretical knowledge.
Other advanced qualifications are available through polytechnics and universities. These include the following:
POLYTECHNIC
- NZIM Certificate in Management
- NZ Diploma in Business Administration
UNIVERSITY
Diplomas or Degrees in:
- Commerce
- Marketing
- Logistics
- Industrial Psychology
- Social Sciences
- Accountancy
- Business Studies
- Various Universities
Masters in Business Administration
Bachelor of Commerce (Forestry)
- Lincoln University
- University of Canterbury
Bachelor of Engineering - Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical
With experience in the forest industry, or in the specific role in another industry sector, and appropriate qualifications, skills in planning, budgeting, communication, information technology and people management, the following jobs may be gained:
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 of product.
OPERATIONS OR SITE MANAGER
Responsible for all aspects of the business including financial management, quality control, training, health and safety, and workforce development.