08 June 2018
Forestry trainees and apprentices were celebrated at the 2018 Southern Wood Council Forestry Awards in Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium on 25 May.
There was a massive turnout to the event, run by the council and Competenz, with more than 300 forest managers, forestry contractors, transport operators and product and service suppliers. People came from as far afield as Hokitika, Geraldine, Tuatapere, Hawea and Stewart Island, including a silviculture crew planting manuka in the North Island who came home for the weekend.
The event celebrated the industry’s best – land preparation contractors, silviculture crews, harvesting crews, log export marshalling companies, sawmills, wilding tree contractors and Department of Conservation staff.
Around 120 National Certificates in Forestry and Wood Processing were awarded to top local contractors and forestry and wood processing employees.
Nick Thomson, Competenz General Manager of Industry Training, congratulated the graduates on their “fantastic” achievements and encouraged them to keep learning.
“You are being recognised for everything you have worked hard for and you are being awarded a nationally recognised qualification. You are the future of this industry.
“Be proud of what you have achieved and encourage others to take on the challenge. And I also encourage you to not stop there, there are many more opportunities for you to continue on your pathway of lifelong learning so keep challenging yourself to take that next step.”
Among those awarded their first national certificates were six apprentices who started on a new regional training scheme this year. All are expected to finish the course in October, with another group expected to start in June.
Recipients ranged from a 60-year-old DOC worker who gained his first ever qualification, to the South Island Manager for Ernslaw One.
In addition to the 120 certificates, nine major industry awards were presented.
Industry awards:
- Training Excellence Award - Apprentice of the Year (Sponsored by Southern Wood Council): Nash Arthur-Jones, Ollerenshaw Logging
- Training Excellence Award - Forestry Trainee of the Year (harvesting) (Sponsored by Rayonier/ Matariki Forests): Glen Paul, Cable Logging Geraldine
- Training Excellence Award - Forestry Trainee of the Year (silviculture) (Sponsored by Dynes Transport): Ross Marshall, Otautau Contractors
- Skilled Professionals Awards – Forestry Excellence Award (establishment, silviculture, fire, harvesting) (Sponsored by South Wood Export): Clint McIvor, Bluewood Logging
- Skilled Professionals Awards – Wood Processing Excellence Award (Sponsored by UDC): Corey Bradley, Pan Pac Forest Products, Otago
- Skilled Professionals Awards – Forest Products/Logistics/Transport/Port Award (Sponsored by Oil Imports): Mark Cardno, C3
- Industry Excellence Awards – Forestry Environmental Management Excellence Award (Sponsored by Otago Regional Council): Tony Livingston, Ernslaw One
- Industry Excellence Awards - Training Company/Contractor of the Year (Sponsored by City Forests): Mike Hurring Logging
- Industry Excellence Awards - Forest Products Health & Safety Award (Sponsored by Ernslaw One): C3
- FISC Certificates – Otago Southland: Eight certificates for Professional Tree Faller Certification, a scheme that has been implemented in the Otago/Southland region were also awarded on the night.
Photo: Apprentice of the Year Nash Arthur-Jones from Ollerenshaw Logging.
