The Hodgman Liberal Government is committed to ensuring a sustainable and vibrant forestry sector to boost local economies and support jobs in regional Tasmania.
Today’s launch of the new $6 million Forestry Training and Skills Development Service being delivered by ForestWorks is a great example of confidence in the resurgent forestry sector.
This industry-owned not-for-profit organisation will offer vocational training services that will support skills development in the forest, wood, paper, timber and furnishing industries.
The training and development of workers, and ensuring there is a reliable workforce into the future, is a key element in supporting the strong growth in the industry and locking in the jobs which are being created.
This program is a direct response to industry needs and will provide training opportunities where the industry itself has recognised a need.
With the current growth in the forest industry, the Tasmanian Forestry Training and Skills Development Service will be available across the board to current and new employees as well as potential new employees.
This is just one part of our commitment to supporting this vital Tasmanian sector as well as forest workers and harvest and haulage contractors, their families and our local communities.
It comes at a time when total wood production in 2015-16 reached its highest level for five years at 4.4 million tonnes, and exports have more than doubled from just a few years ago.
It also follows the announcement last week of a new export joint venture deal for Southern Tasmanian forestry products between TasPorts and Qube Ports - another example of a resurgence of the forestry industry and the creation of 25 jobs on the wharf and hundreds more in the community.
*Further information on the Forestry Training and Skills Development Service is available at www.forestworks.com.au