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 will need to work through an Occupational 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.
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.
Level 2 National Certificates
The Level 2 qualifications require skills and competence in one of the three parts of panel production (wood preparation, forming and pressing, or finishing). However it is rare to get into the forming and pressing process in the early stages of your employment.
WOOD PREPARATION OPERATOR
Prepares logs, wood chips and other raw materials for production.
PRESS OPERATOR
Controls computerised panel pressing machinery.
FINISHING OPERATOR
Grades the finished product, sands and cuts to size to meet customer requirements.
STRAPPING/PACKING OPERATOR
Operates the machinery that binds, straps and wraps packs of finished product. Marks packs and enters details into a computer. May use a forklift or straddle truck to move the packaged product.
TIMBER MACHINIST
Maintains, designs and sharpens timber cutting and profiling tools.
ASSISTANT DRYING / FORMING / GLUING / PRESSING OPERATOR
Assists with or operates the production machines. Manages the processes such as forming, drying and/or gluing, and pressing to ensure the products are made correctly. Monitors quality, moisture content and technical aspects.
VENEER SLICER OPERATOR
Sets and operates the machine that slices flitches into veneers for processing.
WAREHOUSE WORKER
Operates a forklift to transfer product from process to process. Tallies, straps and wraps packs of panels to make up orders.
Level 3 National Certificates
There is a level 3 qualification for the following roles in a wood panels plant.
LATHE OPERATOR (LVL AND PLYWOOD)
Operates the machine that peels logs into veneer ribbons. Usually responsible for maintenance and adjustment of lathe knives to ensure quality requirements are met.
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. This qualification covers sizing and gauging. Mouldings and profiles are products shaped for weatherboards, scotias, architraves etc, and are covered in the Level 4 certificate.
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. At Level 3 this certificate is also a stand-alone qualification which 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.
DRYING / FORMING / GLUING / PRESSING OPERATOR
Operates the production machines and manages the processes such as forming, drying and/or gluing, and pressing to ensure the products are made correctly. Monitors quality, moisture content and technical aspects.
TECHNICIAN
Operates specialised equipment or does laboratory quality tests.
MICROWAVE DRIER TECHNICIAN (LVL ONLY)
Operates specialist drying equipment, monitors quality and moisture content to achieve product specifications.
GRADER
Makes the decision about the grade of panels based on the features of each piece and the Grading Rules.
ENERGY CENTRE OPERATOR
Often responsible for the boiler that burns waste and produces energy for the drying and pressing operation. (If the plant where you are working has an Energy Centre, you may be required to obtain the Level 2 National Certificate in Energy Chemical (Boiler Attendant).
Level 4 National Certificates
At Level 4 the qualifications broaden the knowledge and skill base of experienced operators, prepares them for roles in supervision or technical support, and can lead on to the National Diploma in Wood Manufacturing.
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
Investigates and analyses wood characteristics and their impact on manufacturing options. Works closely with industry to help come up with solutions to their problems.
Your performance in these roles may be enhanced by the Level 5 Diploma in Wood Manufacturing.
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.