Solid Wood Processing

You are most likely to be employed in one of these jobs:

TABLEHAND

Sorts and tallies graded timber into packs according to grade and size.

TIMBER FILLETER / YARD HAND

Prepares stacks of timber for drying by placing fillets of wood between the layers. De-fillets after drying and may prepare packs for transport or for shifting between processes. May be involved in wrapping and strapping the packs.

SAWMILL OPERATOR

Operates machinery to saw logs into lumber/timber.

TIMBER GRADER

Grades timber and operates machinery.

KILN OPERATOR

Controls the timber drying equipment.

TREATMENT OPERATOR

Controls the treatment and preservation equipment.

SAW DOCTOR

Maintains and sharpens saws and knives used in the processing of solid wood.

TIMBER MACHINIST

Maintains, designs and sharpens timber cutting and profiling tools.

NCEA Level 1 (or equivalent) Maths and English are seen as an advantage by most employers, particularly for the Trade Trainee positions. 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.

Some high schools also offer work experience programmes, which give you the opportunity to work in solid wood processing.

Many employers offer training plans to further your development in the industry. These training programmes are managed by FITEC on behalf of the industry and may be delivered on-the-job and/or through polytechnics or private training enterprises (PTE's).

Initially you may be required to work through an Occupation Safety & Health (OSH) induction programme. You will also receive training for the job that you are doing. This training is the first stage of the Level 2 National Certificates.

For specific qualification information, look in National Qualifications on this website.

Level 2 National Certificates

These qualifications are the first in a series of certificates designed to develop and recognise skills in processing solid wood. They cover basic timber handling; knowledge of the industry; and introduction to the main processes. The certificates also offer a choice of unit standards, useful forest-industry-wide, which you can include according to your individual interests or needs.

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.

LOG YARD OPERATOR

Operates a log loader to unload logs from logging trucks, sorts and stores them by grade and transfers them to the debarker or other processes.

DEBARKER OPERATOR

Operates the machine that takes the bark off the logs. Often responsible for monitoring that incoming logs meet quality requirements.

TIMBER- YARD WORKER

Operates a forklift to transfer timber from process to process. Tallies, straps and wraps timber according to order requirements.

DOCKING SAW OPERATOR

Operates the saws that trim the lumber, either to remove defects or to cut to specified length for orders.

DROPOUT OPERATOR

Sorts timber to waste or to recycle through the machine centres.

BREAST-BENCH / HORIZONTAL SAW / RESAW / EDGER OPERATOR

Operates the saws that are used to break down the bigger pieces of timber (flitches) that come from the head-rig

PLANER OPERATOR

Operates the machine that dresses the rough sawn timber to meet specified sizing and gauging requirements.

Level 3 National Certificates

These qualifications are the second in a series of three national certificates. You can choose optional electives to develop your skills and knowledge in a range of topics according to your individual interests or needs.

Level 3 Certificates will prepare you for any one of the job-based qualifications at Level 4, according to your interests and ability. There are a range of hands-on jobs in solid wood processing for which there is a recognised qualification at Level 4.

The availability of jobs depends on the size of the particular site and the processes used there, but may include:

YARD SUPERVISOR

Controls the flow of timber between processes and ensures there are enough supplies for each stage.

HEAD-RIG (MAIN-SAW) OPERATOR

Responsible for sawing the logs to get the most value from them, and filling customer orders. May be guided by a computerised scanner that sets out a sawing pattern.You are responsible for sawing the logs to get the optimum value recovery, & to meet current orders. You may be guided by a computerised scanner that prescribes a sawing pattern.

GRADER

Makes the decisions about the grade of the timber produced based on the features of each piece, and according to the Grading Rules.

KILN PLANT / BOILER OPERATOR

Operates the plant that dries the timber. Checks moisture content to ensure specifications are met. Often responsible for the boiler that burns waste and produces heat and / or steam for the kilns. (If the plant where you are working has an Energy Centre, you may have to work towards the Level 2 National Certificate in Energy Chemical (Boiler Attendant).)

TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR

Manages the processes involved in chemical treatment of timber to meet preservation specifications. Monitors chemical strength and penetration of treatment into the timber.

TIMBER MACHINIST

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. This qualification covers sizing and gauging.

SAW DOCTOR

Sharpens and tensions the saws and knifes used in the processes, and maintains the sawmilling equipment. Sawdoctors maintain the saws and other tools of the solid wood processing industry, keeping them sharp and set for fast and efficient wood cutting. This qualification will teach you the skills to maintain the handyperson's tools and could lead to a job in a town saw and tool servicing centre.

Level 4 National Certificates

The strands of this qualification cover the major operations of the solid wood processing site: where forest logs are converted into consumer goods for the building trade, retail outlets, or export markets; sawing into timber; grading; drying; preserving; packing for the yard or markets. Timber is also often machined into shapes or profiles for particular uses, and this process is the subject of separate qualifications at Levels 3 and 4.

People who have achieved one (or more) of these Level 4 Certificates are able to progress to supervisory or management jobs within the plant. Your performance in these roles may be improved by having the Level 5 Diploma in Wood Manufacturing.  These include:

FLOATER

Multi-skilled operator who can fill a number of processing positions.

TEAM LEADER

Leads a process team. May 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.

RESEARCH WORKER

Analyses wood characteristics and their impact on manufacturing options. Works closely with industry to help come up with solutions to their problems. May specialise in any one of the fields associated with solid wood processing i.e. sawmilling, drying, preservation or remanufacturing.

Level 5 National Certificate / Diploma in Wood Manufacturing

These qualifications are designed for senior operational people in the wood processing industries (solid wood processing, wood panels manufacturing, or pulp and paper manufacturing). They are also open to school leavers and university graduates who can meet the entry requirements. Whatever aspect of wood processing you're in, the qualification 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.

These qualifications cover 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 these qualifications, you may choose to continue your training by going on to a university degree. These qualifications may earn you some credits towards your degree, however this depends on the programme and is up to the university.