Delivery and Assessment | Forestry

Through engagement with industry, we have heard that the current delivery and assessment models do not sufficiently meet industry or learner needs. Trained and skilled workers are essential, however the way in which learners are taught and assessed on the job makes it challenging for employers to support learners, both financially and in terms of time. While industry ideally want learners to learn on-the-job, this can be difficult as it takes time out of the employee’s workday and puts the onus of the cost of providing this learning indirectly onto the employer. It may also require bringing a trainer and assessor into the workplace at a cost to the employer (or bringing a Te Pūkenga Competenz assessor in).   

Larger companies may have trainers and assessors embedded into their staff, which can better meet this need, however the current assessment method is heavily based on bookwork and observations which does not suit the diversity of learning needs amongst learners. Assessment is primarily carried out by Competenz (registered assessors). The burden is on the learner to complete the 'bookwork', potentially after work or out of hours which may impact on themselves and their whānau. 

The Forestry Trainer and Assessor model is currently being researched by Te Uru Rākau (Ministry for Primary Industries) and the Food and Fibre Centre of Vocational Excellence as they indicate there are 'insufficient numbers of trainers and assessors' in the industry. The Forestry and Wood Processing Industry Transformational Plan November 2022 details that 'there are limited on-job training opportunities'.