Tokoroa candidates in line for forestry awards

Tokoroa is well represented in this year’s Forestry Industry Training and Education Council (FITEC) awards.

Tony Brell, from A G & G Sinton, and Michelle Harris, human relations adviser to CHH Pulp and Paper Services at Kinleith are both finalists.

Mr Brell is up for the Modern Apprentice of the Year – furniture, wood manufacturing and forestry; Ms Harris is in the running for the FITEC Training Leader of the Year award.

New Zealand’s forestry sector will need more skilled people over the next decade as technology con- tinues to change, more areas of forest become available for harvest, and the environmental advantages of wood products are increasingly recognised, said Ian Boyd, chief executive of the FITEC.

In releasing the names of finalists for the industry’s 2012 training and education awards, he said practically every work discipline is required across the wide range of forest and wood manufacturing operations.

A total of 30 finalists have been selected by independent judges for the 2012 forest industry awards. The awards are to be staged in Rotorua on Thursday, September 20.

Mr Boyd said the forestry sector’s wide diversity requires an equally diverse range of award categories in order to capture the different disciplines and skill levels.

‘‘ The forest and wood sector extends from forest management to sophisticated wood manufacturing so it demands all kinds of operational, planning, engineering, and commercial skills to perform efficiently,’’ he said.

‘‘These awards help highlight the skills gained and the desire to achieve and become a professional in the forest and wood industry,’’ Mr Boyd said.

He said the sector faces many challenges in the next decade to attract quality skilled people to manage, harvest and process the larger volumes coming from sustainable forests.

These skill requirements are continually being extended as new end uses for wood are researched and commercialised.

‘‘The industry has an ambitious strategy to grow export revenues from $4.5 billion a year to potentially $12b and this means more highly skilled people will be needed,’’ said Mr Boyd.

‘‘It is already the second largest exporter in the primary sector which is the foundation of the NZ economy.

‘‘ The finalists this year are great role models for the industry and they will all have future leadership opportunities as the industry continues to grow.’’

The other four categories are: Training Company of the Year – furniture, wood manufacturing, forestry;

Trainee of the year – furniture, wood manufacturing, forestry;

Outstanding business performance through people development

Health and Safety Initiative.