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Useful experience for saw doctors includes:

• general engineering work
• timber machining
• work in a sawmill.

Saw doctors may do some or all of the following:

• examine saws for faults
• fix saws by welding, replacing teeth and hammering out lumps and twists
• sharpen saws using a file or filing machine and adjust tension
• maintain sawmill equipment and machinery
• complete relevant documentation
• ensure workshop areas comply with safety standards.

Strong demand for qualified saw doctors

Demand for saw doctors is good due to increased demand for processed wood in New Zealand so more saw doctors are needed to maintain wood processing equipment.

There is also a shortage of qualified saw doctors in sawmills.

According to the Census, 270 saw doctors worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Most saw doctors employed in timber processing industry

Most saw doctors are employed by sawmills and timber processing plants. Others work for:

• engineering companies
• tool manufacturers
• specialist saw and blade-sharpening companies.

Competenz

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

Toi Ohomai

0800 86 46 46 - info@toiohomai.ac.nz - www.toiohomai.ac.nz

Saw doctors may progress to set up their own saw doctor business, or become a head saw doctor, overseeing a team of staff. They may also become sawmill supervisors or managers.

Saw doctors need to be:

• accurate, with an eye for detail
• patient and methodical
• practical
• safety-conscious.