The WA State Government has begun the roll-out of its forestry workforce transition packages for native forestry workers to assist them to transition to a new industry before native forest logging ends in Western Australia in 2024. Source: Timberbiz
Following feedback and extensive consultation through the Workforce Transition Sub-group, the final native forest workforce transition package was presented to the Native Forest Transition Group last week.
Implementation of the packages will begin with details of the package to be communicated to every worker in a mill and harvest and haulage company, with workers needing to pre-register for the transition package by 6 April 2022.
Representatives from TAFE will also start visiting workplaces to speak with workers about retraining opportunities and conduct Recognition of Prior Learning and Skills Assessments.
Consultation on the business transition packages has now closed and the feedback received from businesses is being collated. The next business sub-group meeting will be held in the next few weeks once the feedback has been collated and some further discussions have taken place with key stakeholders.
Registration for the business transition packages closed at 3pm last Friday, with all eligible businesses having now registered their interest for a package.
The Workforce Transition Program will include financial assistance through a one-off Worker Transition Payment of up to $10,000 for full-time native forestry workers and casual employees working more than 22.5 hours per week, who decide to voluntarily exit the industry to retrain or find new employment.
Should a sawmill choose to close, or a native timber worker be made redundant, the package includes a Worker Transition Payment of $30,000, plus a top-up or scaled variable payment of $1,000 per year of service in the timber industry to a maximum of $15,000.
This means an eligible, long-term native forestry worker could receive a total Worker Transition Payment of up to $45,000.
The Community and Industry Transition sub-group has now also been formed and will meet for the first time this week.
This new sub-group will consist of representatives from the Shires of Manjimup, Nannup and Bridgetown, as well as representatives from the Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry, FIFWA, the Australian Workers Union, Department of Jobs Training Science and Innovation, and the South West Development Commission.
Forestry Minister Dave Kelly said the $50 million Just Transition Plan would support workers, businesses and communities with links to the native forestry industry.
“I’m really pleased that after listening to workers and working closely with the Australian Workers Union, we can now start to roll out the support packages for native forestry workers,” he said.
“It’s encouraging to see that all eligible native forestry businesses have registered their interest for the business transition support packages, and I look forward to finalising these packages in the coming weeks.
“With the Community and Industry Transition sub-group now formed, we will continue to consult with key stakeholders before finalising the Just Transition Plan.”
