A strategy to lift exports from New Zealand’s renewable forests, from $4.7 billion to $12 billion in the next decade, will require more skilled people. Source: Timberbiz
Schools and tertiary education centres around New Zealand have received copies of a publication outlining the range of skills needed and the training that is available.
Hon Nathan Guy, Minister for Primary Industries, has said that training people needs to start now in order to meet potential growth of the industry over the next decade and beyond.
He said scientists, engineers, marketers and a wide diversity of trades would be needed to take advantage of new global interest in timber.
“New Zealand forest managers and scientists are world renowned for growing timber. But now we are seeing even more new building products like laminated veneer lumber and post tensioned systems emerging from our engineering and scientific disciplines,” he said.
“Another major advantage that cannot be overlooked is the positive energy story of wood. Architects and engineers are more sensitive about the energy their work can consume in global construction and this is turning more attention to timber.”
Ian Boyd, CEO of the industry’s training ITO said just how many jobs and the types of jobs to be created in the forest and wood sector will depend on processing options but there will be a need for more tertiary professionals as well as many different trades.
“On one hand, bio fuel production, if it gathers momentum, will require certain skills and increased wood processing will require other skills,” said Boyd.
The forestry sector currently employs over 18,000 people directly and contributes to many jobs indirectly.
Varying rates of forest planting throughout New Zealand indicate the national resource of harvestable timber will increase by about 40 percent over the next decade
