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Useful experience for forestry and logging workers includes:

• timber mill work
• work as a volunteer firefighter
• experience driving heavy vehicles
• farm work.

Forestry and logging workers may do some or all of the following:

• prepare and maintain the ground surrounding trees
• plant, prune and thin trees
• monitor and measure the growth of trees
• gather aerial data about a tree crop 
• select and cut down trees
• use harvesting machinery to drag logs from the bush and remove branches from logs
• operate loaders to move logs into stacks or to load trucks
• assess log quality, and cut to size
• measure and grade logs
• maintain and repair chainsaws and equipment.

Strong demand for forestry and logging workers

Demand for forestry and logging workers in harvesting and silviculture (planting and pruning) is good because:

• private forest plantings from the 1990s onwards are now reaching maturity, so more forestry and logging workers are needed for harvesting and replanting
• a number of forestry and logging workers are reaching retirement age, but not enough people are coming through to replace them 
• the Government is investing in forestry research and sustainable forestry programmes to increase the plantation area on land suitable for growing forests. Forestry and logging workers are needed to help with this. 

According to the Census, 4,827 forestry and logging workers worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Technological skills an advantage for forestry and logging workers

It's an advantage for forestry and logging workers to have technical skills and experience because the job is becoming increasingly mechanised. 

It's possible to learn these skills on the job or get support for training. Some of the technical skills you can learn as a forestry and logging worker include:   

• operating drones for forest aerial survey work
• using apps for gathering data such as cubic metres of logs processed 
• controlling operator-free machines remotely.

Range of ways to improve chances of getting into training

You can improve your chances of being trained as a forestry and logging worker if you have:  

• a positive attitude, a willingness to learn, and a strong work ethic
• transferable skills such as experience operating machines 
• good teamwork skills. 

Most employers of forestry and logging workers are contractors

Forestry and logging workers are usually employed by forestry contractors, who work for forest management companies.

Competenz

0800 526 1800 - info@competenz.org.nz - www.competenz.org.nz

Forestry and logging workers can progress to manage their own crew and become forestry contractors.

Forestry and logging workers usually specialise in one of three areas of forestry:

Forest Mensuration Worker

Forest mensuration workers may either measure standing trees to work out their size and value, or measure logs in the forest, at wharves or sawmills, to ensure that the logs meet clients' needs.

Forestry Harvesting Worker

Forestry harvesting workers cut and clear trees from forests.

Forestry Silviculture Worker

Forestry silviculture workers plant, prune, thin and release trees in a forest.

Forestry and logging workers need to be:

• practical
• motivated and hard-working
• safety-conscious
• able to make good judgements
• able to work well under pressure
• able to work as part of a team.