Forestry training changes: Industry consultation open

Changes are underway across New Zealand’s vocational education system, and forestry training is part of this wider reform. These changes follow the Government’s decision to disestablish Te Pūkenga and restructure work based learning, which has included Competenz.

Competenz has confirmed it will move in 2026 to a new Private Training Establishment (PTE) focused on engineering and manufacturing. Forestry training will not move into this new organisation, as forestry sits under the Food and Fibre Industry Skills Board. This means a new arrangement is needed to support forestry training in the future.

Forestry must advise Government of its preferred option for delivering vocational training by the end of March. The main options are to work with a polytechnic, a Private Training Establishment (PTE), or a wānanga. The focus for industry is to ensure any new arrangement supports practical, on the job training and continues to work well for employers and learners.

More than 85 percent of forestry training happens on the job, and forestry has a remarkably high training participation rate. Training is an important tool for helping to manage health and safety risks in harvesting and silviculture.

The FOA and FICA Forestry Training Committee is focused on protecting what works well for forestry. This includes preserving the forestry knowledge, resources, and key people currently supporting training through Competenz, and ensuring the national network of trainers and assessors can continue through the transition to a new provider.

Members of the Forestry Training Committee recently met in Auckland with management from Competenz and Primary ITO to discuss the future of forestry training and how a smooth transition could be achieved.

Based on the committee’s due diligence work, the suggested approach is for forestry to align with Primary ITO as it transitions into a new Primary Industry Private Training Establishment (PTE). Under this approach, forestry training would sit within a dedicated forestry business area, rather than being absorbed into a generic training model. This would allow forestry to retain strong industry control, with clear feedback and accountability through an industry advisory group supporting the forestry business unit general manager. Forestry would also have a seat on the board of the PTE.

The proposed Primary Industry PTE model is being discussed with other primary industry groups to confirm details around structure, governance, reporting, and funding.

The proposed forestry business area would focus only on vocational training, similar to the role previously played by Competenz. Forestry diplomas, degrees, and other education programmes would continue to be delivered by their existing providers, and other Private Training Establishments (PTEs) would still be able to operate in the forestry training market.

Industry consultation will open in February. Feedback from forest owners, contractors, trainers, and other stakeholders will help shape the final advice provided to Government.

During February and March, the Forestry Training Committee will engage with the sector through online consultation sessions with Wood Councils, followed by four regional workshops around the country, with an additional online session for those unable to attend in person. These sessions will explain the proposed approach and provide an opportunity for questions and feedback.

This is an important opportunity for forestry to help shape the future of training and ensure it remains practical, straightforward, and fit for purpose for the sector.

Source: NZ Forest Owners Association (FOA)