The industry struggles to attract new people due to the perception of the nature of the work and a lack of clear pathways.
Te Purunga ki Te Raki - Taitokerau Regional Skills Leadership Group has identified in its Regional Workforce Plan that 23 log plant operators will be required over the next five years and 187 Forestry labourers (including tree fellers and logging assistants) will be required to fill job openings.
A variety of factors make attracting people into Forestry a challenge. The work is often outdoors, in remote areas and there are perception issues around safety. The industry lacks visibility of role models, and is also seen as lacking in progression opportunities, while there is minimal understanding around what sort of career and learner pathways exist.
Information for learners on training and education is often outdated, inconsistent or difficult to compare across providers. A range of skills are offered through qualifications, but these don’t always cover the breadth of skills that employers desire.
While Forestry operates on a seasonal structure, the Bay of Plenty Regional Skills Leadership Group has had feedback from industry with examples of how year-round work can be provided to employees if they are willing and have the skills to transition between different jobs in the industry (e.g., from silviculture to harvest).
The Tairāwhiti Regional Skills Leadership Group has identified the Forestry industry as an important contributor and employer to the region. While a significant amount of the local workforce identifies as Māori, Māori remain underrepresented in leadership roles across the supply chain. Tūranga Ararau, as the Iwi Tertiary Education provider of Te Rūnanga o Tūranganui a Kiwa, has designed a diploma level course to enable more local people to progress into managerial or supervisory roles in the industry.