Friday Offcuts – 20 September 2024
Click to Subscribe - It's FREE! Welcome to Friday Offcuts.This week, the closure of another mill in New Zealand underscores pressing issues, such as rising energy costs, and the need for more sustainable practices. However, amidst these challenges, there is potential for growth driven by government initiatives. Programs like "Building for Climate Change" and the upcoming Harvested Wood Products (HWP) scheme aim to incentivise the use of wood products in construction. In Australia, the newly announced AFWI Research Advisory Committee is set to unite industry experts, with the first round of research funding expected to be revealed soon. Additionally, Master Builders Australia has provided insights into housing in NSW, pinpointing areas for improvement. On the technological front, advancements in artificial intelligence, mobile applications, and innovative tree measurement techniques are poised to revolutionize the sector, with many of these solutions to be showcased at November’s ForestTECH 2024. A recent report also highlights how AI is enhancing efficiency and gaining traction among businesses. Moreover, there is a growing emphasis on education and community engagement, which plays a crucial role in developing a skilled workforce and raising public awareness about the importance of forestry. Read these and more in another packed edition of Friday Offcuts. Enjoy.
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This week we have for you:
More mills will close - Op-ed
There’s a lever the government’s not pulling to
support the wood processing and forestry sector. It's also a key to
reducing emissions, hitting Paris obligations and saving the taxpayer
hundreds of millions.Both parts of the broader forestry sector are now struggling. The chickens have come home to roost on forestry’s over-reliance on China’s property market. Activity there is off 30-40 percent and set to slip further. China took 80 percent of New Zealand export logs. The sector needs to replace it with a strong domestic processing base it can rely on. However, the local construction industry is getting down to activity levels last seen following the Global Financial Crisis. There is around 40 percent excess capacity in the sawmilling sector now and prices are back 10 percent. The 28 structural timber sawmills are slogging it out in the market. In this economic environment, mills running on part shifts with low margin is a recipe for further closures. Expect two or three more announcements in the next year or so. The South Island is particularly over-supplied, and a closing there would give margin reprieve for the rest of the mills. What to do? Interest rates will stop the slide sometime next year or 2026. We're calling for a 1 percent OCR cut at the next review. There is no use doing it in 25 basis point steps if we know it needs to drop 3 percent this cycle, inflation is under control and the economy is on its knees. The government has two key policy levers also. Each relies on recognising the role wood processing has in providing carbon-negative building materials. The world can literally build its way out of the climate crisis when it comes to the 20 percent of carbon emissions caused by construction. However, policy and regulation will be required. Building for Climate Change - urgently needed The first policy is to ambitiously implement the Building for Climate Change programme. It will provide the regulatory stick required to make building product suppliers de-carbonise their products. MBIE is well-advanced in planning its implementation, and in June over 50 organisations signed an open letter calling for its roll out. They included BRANZ, CIBSE, Engineering NZ, New Zealand Institute of Architects, Sustainable Business Council, Infrastructure New Zealand, and the New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC). To date, government has not prioritised it. The industry though recognises that regulation is the only effective lever. Indeed, it has made solid steps to de-carbonise with the prospects of regulation on the way. That momentum could be lost now. Government thinks it can use encouragement and rewards, instead of regulation. "They're dreaming" said one colleague. We’ll see. An estimated 8 percent of global emissions are caused by each of the steel and cement industries. The government is hoping they de-carbonise, but its second Emission Reductions Plan draft concedes that these types of hard-to-abate sectors will continue to emit through to 2050. That forecast will be correct without the Building for Climate Change regulation. Its implementation will provide a major demand source for the wood processing sector. Its products are literally made from CO2. Many progressive developers and project teams are now enthusiastically embracing wood and particularly engineered mass timber. Nothing tells staff, clients and suppliers that a company cares about sustainability than it being based in a stunning building made of mass timber. The Fisher and Paykel Appliances global headquarters currently under construction in Auckland epitomises this. It is using LVL, glulam and Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) from Red Stag TimberLab. With regulatory support, mills will scale up investment, builders will become more familiar with wood solutions, and construction prices will converge on equivalent to traditional materials, or less. The government needs to trust that this dynamic will unfold and to encourage it, rather than continuing to focus on what is cheapest now, even if it's also costing the earth later. The sector will react to the demand-signal and invest. We estimate up to $1.5 billion. Red Stag alone has $250 million of potential investments and could contribute an additional 637,000 tonnes of carbon storage to 2030. That alone would save New Zealand $38 million from its Paris commitment bill. It is weighing up whether to make these investments here or in Australia. Much comes down to policy settings that support the business case for investment. Harvested Wood Products (HWP) - help on the way The other policy that will save the sector is to develop a scheme to recognise the carbon storage in wood products with NZUs that wood processors can then trade on the ETS. Forests sequester carbon from the atmosphere, but wood products store it for decades or centuries. Few people realise that around one-third of the ‘Forestry sector's' carbon storage is actually due to wood processors making investments to lock that carbon away. HWP value is incorporated in our Nationally Determined Contributions accounting and our Paris targets. So, it's legit. Yet wood processors do not yet receive any benefit for this carbon storage, despite investing in additional processing since the HWP baseline year of 2009, in the expectation that they will be treated equivalently to forestry in the ETS one day. This week Climate Change Minister Simon Watts told conference attendees "We need to be cognitive of any removal option outside of exotic pine that is available to us. If it reduces emissions, we can measure and validate it scientifically legit; then we should be able to get some form of credit for it." That is Harvested Wood Products. Both National and Act have election promises to develop a scheme to reward such wood processors for these recent investments and encourage more. Industry and officials are close to finalising a scheme under Forestry Minister Todd McClay's leadership. These two policies have the potential to address climate change and ensure a resilient wood processing and forestry sector. Without them, stand by for more global warming, higher Paris bills, more mill closures and decimated rural communities. Source: Marty Verry, Group CEO, Red Stag Timber  OjiFS confirms Penrose Mill closure
Oji Fibre Solutions (OjiFS) has today announced it is
taking action to strengthen the company and will close its paper
recycling mill in Penrose, Auckland.Chief Executive Officer Dr Jon Ryder said: “This is a sad day for OjiFS and particularly our Penrose Mill employees. While this closure will impact directly on our 75 people at the mill, we will continue serving our customers with as little disruption as possible. Closing Penrose Mill will not change our Fullcircle operations. We will continue to collect wastepaper and continue to recycle around 90,000 tonnes of cardboard per year at our Kinleith Mill, near Tokoroa. OjiFS will remain New Zealand’s largest paper recycler." “Other wastepaper will be sent to an Oji Group mill in Malaysia, who will also supply our OjiFS packaging operations across Australasia with a replacement for the recycled medium currently manufactured at Penrose Mill. The fact that the replacement supplier is an Oji-owned mill, means we can be confident it will operate under the values and standards of the Oji Group." “I would like to emphasise that this decision to close Penrose Mill, is in no way a reflection of the calibre, dedication and skill of each and every one of our 75 staff there. Penrose Mill has suffered a three-year pattern of losses, with no prospect of the situation improving. As I’ve said before, these losses are caused by several issues, including but not limited to, dramatically rising energy costs, and freight and labour costs. We have looked at technology and other changes to save input costs. We have also considered options presented by our staff and their unions. “At the end of the day, however, there is nothing we could find that would make a difference. We are doing all we can to support our people through this period, including matching them with positions across other parts of OjiFS, and working with other businesses to offer them the opportunity to take on high-calibre, experienced staff.” Source & image credit: Oji Fibre Solutions For further commentary on the decision:
NSW moves further away from Housing Accord target
New industry forecasts released by Master Builders
Australia show New South Wales has unfortunately moved further
away from achieving its Housing Accord target of 377,000 new
homes. Five months after the first forecasts covering the full
five-year Accord period, NSW is projected to increase its housing
shortfall from 28,950 to over 73,700 homes. From 1 July 2024 until
30 June 2029, Master Builders forecasts 303,280 new home starts,
19.6 per cent lower than the Accord target. Master Builders Association of NSW Executive Director Brian Seidler said the April forecast downgrade reflects the ongoing struggle to control inflation, persistently high interest rates, and ongoing supply constraints in the residential building sector. “While we expect a gradual market recovery in the coming years as broader economic conditions improve, more needs to be done to address the housing shortfall. All levels of government have acknowledged the challenges around planning, workforce, and productivity. We must ensure that momentum is maintained in these critical areas. “Industry productivity has declined by 18 per cent over the last decade. State governments must expedite planning reforms to cut the excessive costs and long timelines associated with construction. Workforce shortages remain the most significant challenge across all sectors of the industry. “At the Federal level, the Government's focus should be on expanding the building and construction workforce, with a combination of domestic and skilled migration solutions. Domestically, we can’t fill this gap alone. We need innovative approaches, including better apprenticeship incentives, reskilling migrants already in Australia, and launching an international campaign to attract skilled tradespeople. “Higher-density construction will play a critical role in meeting housing targets and addressing the housing and rental crisis. Since the pandemic, build times for these projects have increased by around 20 per cent from approval to completion, while costs have surged by approximately 40 per cent. “Inflation is undermining our capacity. Governments need to accelerate efforts to alleviate these supply chain bottlenecks,” said Mr Seidler. On a positive note, the non-residential and civil construction sectors are continuing to expand, contributing to economic growth. Non-residential building activity is expected to perform well over the next five years, with a projected increase of 2.2 per cent by June 2024. The civil construction sector is forecast to grow by a substantial 26 per cent, driven primarily by transport and utilities projects. Mr Seidler added: “Ongoing investment and support across the entire built environment are crucial. “We can’t meet our housing needs without the necessary commercial and civil infrastructure, including critical utilities. Builders are ready to meet the challenge, but the obstacles in the way must be removed to ensure we get the job done.” Source: Master Builders Association of NSW  Using your phone as a digital inventory tool
Diameter at the breast height (DBH) is essential in single tree and stand measurement, spanning a wide range of applications, from traditional forestry to carbon accounting, ecology, forest inventories and forest monitoring. Although they can provide instant readings, traditional DBH measurement methods still rely heavily on mechanical measurement, and often lack the capability of storing, transferring and, therefore, making a better use of the collected data. In addition, they may take a longer measurement cycle time and may provide poorer ergonomic and safety conditions, mainly because they imply a direct contact measurement, and make use of rather heavy to carry tools; operating costs could be another good reason when checking for their economic performance, since they typically require more human resources as compared to digital tools. These characteristics make them rather incompatible with the modern concepts of sustainable forestry, at least under economic and ergonomics points of view. In addition, they cannot provide the data in the required format and information flows as specific to Forestry 4.0 and individual tree detection and measurement. The latest developments in proximal sensing technology, as well as the integration of advanced sensors in smart portable devices have provided new opportunities for measuring tree biometrics at affordable costs and with minimal inputs of resources. Technologies such as those developed by Google for Android-based platforms, or by Apple for iPhone and iPad platforms have already been tested in measuring the main biometrics of trees and logs with promising results. These were complemented by studies that tested or described the capabilities of professional LiDAR scanners and which concluded that such devices may reach a high accuracy when used in forestry applications, including for the measurement of main biometrics of the trees or logs. Still, the main challenges of using professional LiDAR scanners are those related to the investments in equipment, which remained high over the last years, as well as in a lower portability, which make them less suitable when working in rough terrain. In some data collection configurations, one may add the occlusion effects, which may lead to loosing important data. Obviously, the use of low-weight and highly mobile devices such as the smartphones may overcome many of these limitations but, irrespective of the device used, instant readings of the measurement results, as well as the capability to store, document and transfer the data are important features to consider when choosing a measurement solution. These requirements constrain the available set of digital DBH measurement solutions to couple of software applications such as developed by Arboreal Forest and Measure App developed by Apple . Both of them take advantage of close-range LiDAR sensing and Augmented Reality technology, which comes handy for orientation and effective operation, and provide instant readings of the measurement results as opposed to the use of rather resource intensive algorithms to obtain the results in an offline approach. The Arboreal Forest app features several advanced features such as those related to species recognition, DBH and height measurement, and setting of inventory plots, in addition to a dedicated platform for data transfer and storage. A recent study was setup to compare the readings on DBH as they were taken by the Arboreal Forest and Measure App to the readings taken manually by a digital caliper. The main aim of the study was to describe and characterize the accuracy of the two tested digital methods in relation to the manual method. The study concluded that digital DBH measurement options supported by affordable mobile platforms equipped with LiDAR and AR technologies are accurate and compatible with the DBH measurement requirements when compared to the manual option. More >> and commentary on the study results from Arboreal Forest can be read here. As part of this year’s ForestTECH 2024 series running in Rotorua, New Zealand on 20-21 November and in Melbourne, Australia on 26-27 November, Sweden’s Arboreal Forest’s CEO and Founder, Johan Ekenstedt will be outlining to local foresters, how an in-phone Lidar and scanner (the Arboreal Forest app from the App Store) can and are being used as an alternative to traditional manual tree measurement methods. Source: Ecological Informatics, Arboreal Forest  How is NZ’s energy crisis impacting the wood industry?
New Zealand’s pulp and paper industry has lost a pulp mill –
and could lose another – to an energy crisis that shows little
signs of abating. The Winstone Pulp International (WPI) pulp mill
on the Central North Island will close permanently and cease
manufacturing Bleached Chemi Thermo-Mechanical Pulp (BCTMP)
immediately. A second pulp mill, the recycling mill owned by Oji Fibre Solutions at Penrose in the Auckland region, has been proposed for closure by the end of the year, citing energy costs as fundamental to the expected decision. The Penrose mill employs around 75 people and is the sole fibre recycling facility in New Zealand. Oji was quick to point out that its extensive collections would continue, the fibre being shipped to other Oji recycling mills, including most likely the Malaysian operation. IndustryEdge’s long experience in the pulp and paper industry reminds us no manufacturer likes closing facilities, including because of the impact on the workforce and their families and livelihoods. That means the situation is serious, so, how did it come to pass? Pulp, paper and energy At a facility level, and also at a national level, there is no escaping the fact that manufacturing the world’s paper, paperboard and fibre packaging products is energy intensive. Though energy is used throughout the process of manufacturing pulp and paper, some operations can be self-sufficient for thermal (heat) and electrical energy. These are mainly the chemical pulp mills, where one of the by-products of circular manufacturing and the recovery of chemicals, is abundant energy. Other facilities are however less self-sufficient, but still energy intensive. This is the case for the WPI mill, which uses energy to produce a ‘mechanical’ pulp and has limited thermal and even less electrical energy outputs. The situation is even more severe for Oji’s Penrose recycling mill, which has little to no capacity to recover or create energy. More >> Source: IndustryEdge New AFWI Research Advisory Committee announced
The Chair of Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI), Mr
Bob Gordon, has welcomed the establishment of the new AFWI Research
Advisory Committee. The Committee will provide expert
advice to the AFWI Board on forest and wood product research and
innovation, ensuring that research activities are aligned with industry
needs and maximising benefits for the broader forestry and wood products
sectors.“Bringing together experts from across industry and research strengthens AFWI’s ability to ensure our work reflects real-world needs,” Mr Gordon said. “The Committee’s insights will be invaluable as we steer our research and innovation to better serve the forestry and wood product sectors.“ “As we approach the announcement of the first round of funding under our National Open Call for Research, we are excited to mark the beginning of AFWI-funded projects. These initiatives will play a crucial role in advancing innovation and sustainability within the forestry and wood products sectors.” Mr Gordon also acknowledged the role of the Committee in assessing and recommending these projects: “The Research Advisory Committee has been integral to the selection process, ensuring that the projects we fund are supported by industry, deliver meaningful outcomes, and contribute to the broader goals of the sector.” Chaired by Professor Rodney Keenan, the Committee includes leaders from academia, industry, and government. The members of the AFWI Research Advisory Committee are:
 AI is boosting productivity with minimal job displacement
The AI Forum of New Zealand is proud to present its
inaugural biannual snapshot of artificial intelligence (AI)
adoption across Aotearoa New Zealand. The survey, conducted in
partnership with Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington and
Callaghan Innovation, marks a significant milestone in understanding
AI’s impact on workplaces throughout the country.“We’re excited to release this important research, which provides a clear and evidence-based understanding of how AI is being used and the effect it is having on productivity across Aotearoa,” says Madeline Newman, Executive Director, AI Forum of New Zealand. “AI is often surrounded by hype and misconceptions, which can lead to unrealistic expectations or unwarranted fears. Our research was designed to offer a reality check on what exactly AI is delivering for businesses, and the results are encouraging.” “The results clearly show that AI is driving efficiency with a high adoption rate, a boost in worker efficiency, minimal job displacement and new career opportunities emerging.” Key findings of the report show that 67% of respondents are already using AI, particularly generative AI, with nearly all (96%) reporting increased worker efficiency and over half experiencing positive financial outcomes. AI is also creating new career opportunities while reshaping existing roles. Although financial considerations remain a concern, the study found that costs are mostly manageable and job displacement is minimal. “One of the primary reasons for conducting our survey regularly is to provide a robust, data-driven foundation for decision-making. Policymakers, business leaders, and academics need accurate, up-to-date information to make informed decisions about AI investment, regulation, and integration.” “This is just the beginning of an ongoing journey. Our research will continue to illuminate the real impact of AI, ensuring that New Zealand businesses and policymakers are well-informed and can make the best decisions for our future.” View report Source: AI Forum New Zealand New genetically engineered wood can store carbon
Researchers at the University of Maryland genetically
modified poplar trees to produce high-performance, structural
wood without the use of chemicals or energy intensive
processing. Made from traditional wood, engineered wood is often seen as
a renewable replacement for traditional building materials like steel,
cement, glass and plastic. It also has the potential to store carbon for
a longer time than traditional wood because it can resist deterioration,
making it useful in efforts to reduce carbon emissions.But the hurdle to true sustainability in engineered wood is that it requires processing with volatile chemicals and a significant amount of energy, and produces considerable waste. The researchers edited one gene in live poplar trees, which then grew wood ready for engineering without processing. The research was published online on August 12, 2024, in the Journal Matter. “We are very excited to demonstrate an innovative approach that combines genetic engineering and wood engineering, to sustainably sequester and store carbon in a resilient super wood form, said Yiping Qi, a professor in the Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture at UMD and a corresponding author of the study, “Carbon sequestration is critical in our fight against climate change, and such engineered wood may find many uses in the future bioeconomy.” Before wood can be treated to impart structural properties such as increased strength or UV resistance, which allows it to be substituted for steel or concrete, it must be stripped of one of its main components, called lignin. Previously, UMD researchers successfully developed methods for removing lignin using various chemicals, and others have explored the use of enzymes and microwave technology. With this new research, Qi and his colleagues sought to develop a method that does not rely on chemicals, produce chemical wastes or rely on large amounts of energy. More >> Source & image credit: University of Maryland  NZ forestry market update - September 2024
A small lift in log prices in September has seen some
harvest projects get underway again, with many loggers and truckers back
to work. India is now very much in the log export mix, adding price
points and log grade options that currently reflect an overall better
bottom line than China.Our domestic mills are experiencing tougher times. Sales volumes are weak, with a lot more competition for a market that is dynamically too small for what can be produced. Mills have been building stock and discounting to keep the wolves at bay. Given that many sawmills also export lumber, sales volume problems are not helped by container freight costs, which like breakbulk logs, have been increasing leaving many export destinations running at a loss. The closure of Winstone’s Kariori pulp mill and Tangiwai sawmill is devastating for the Ruapehu District and the hundred of individuals who have lost their jobs. The word on the street is there is a lot more to it than unrealistically high power prices. Perhaps low demand for sawn lumber in NZ, high international freight costs and reducing paper needs internationally will be in the closure decision mix. India is now firmly back in the log export mix with a 10 vessel per month programme looking to be sustainable and NZ supplying 4 – 5 of those. Whilst this has always been a problematic market, new players in the game are working hard to regain credibility, trustworthiness, and consistency. These are core values the NZ forestry sector can certainly work with.At present, the combination of India selling prices and shipping costs netted back to the NZ wharf gate, is resulting in slightly better bottom line than China. Most commentators are suggesting small lifts in China in October should see the two markets neck and neck. In the critically important China market, it is good to see log inventory falling slightly to 3.4million m3 compared to 3.7mil in August. The primary reason is a lift in daily off port sales from 47,000 last month to close to 60,000 m3 per day. It is fantastic to see shipping rates falling, with ample availability of Loggers opening on the Southern Hemisphere appearing to be the primary reason. Whilst US$2 – 3 per cubic metre drops for October fixtures seem to be the order of the day, the international Baltic Dry index (BDI) is on the rise, reflecting increased hire rates in larger class vessels. The expectation is the recent drops in smaller loggers may not be around for long. More >> Source & image credit: Laurie Forestry SnapSTAT - A global view of forest products exportsGlobally the forest products industries are vital for several key products ... see which ones in today's chart!
Celebrating 70 years of engaging local children in forestry
For 70 years, the Coronation Forest schools programme
has provided local school children a behind-the-scenes glimpse at a
working production forest in the Golden Downs forests. The
programme was initiated by Nelson man Arnold Cork who
had an idea that would leave a legacy for generations. To mark Queen
Elizabeth II’s accession to the throne, Cork suggested planting
trees in an area of Golden Downs State Forest and renaming it Coronation
Forest.Cork set out to create a forest to engage school children in their environment and the local forestry industry, and 70 years later his idea is still flourishing. Shaun Truelock, OneFortyOne New Zealand Forests’ General Manager, explains how Coronation Forest has become a piece of living history for the Nelson Tasman region. “More than 40,000 local school children have planted seedlings in Coronation Forest over its 70-year history,” said Shaun. “As New Zealand becomes increasingly urbanised, the programme has given young people access to a unique outdoor experience and the opportunity to increase knowledge about local industries, fostering a connection with the land. Every year, hundreds of school children from local schools participate in tree planting and plantation forestry activities, such as tree measuring, guessing the age of pines, and learning more about the local ecosystem, said Shaun. Tasman Mayor Tim King attended the anniversary celebrations on Friday and reflected on his own experience at Coronation Forest when he attended as a pupil at Brightwater Primary School. Mayor Tim King congratulated OneFortyOne and Ngāti Toa for the continued support of this longstanding initiative which will continue to provide enduring connections to the forest industry for the many thousands of kids who have attended Coronation Forest planting days over the years. “Continuing this strong connection with the community is crucial to one of Tasman District’s most important industries,” Mayor King said. Te Uru Rakau, Forest Engagement & Advice Director, Alex Wilson has said: Ministry for Primary Industries, Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service, and predecessors have supported the education program, yearly events and planting days over the lifetime of the Coronation Forest. “Regionally – it is hard not to speak to someone who has been involved in the events to some capacity, through school, recreationally or professionally,” said Alex. “Te Uru Rakau see the importance of connecting people with forests and wood they produce as well as learning the history of Nelson’s forests." Over the years, the forest has passed between different companies, with OneFortyOne New Zealand Forests now managing the area and supporting the forestry education programme, leasing the land from Ngāti Toa. The project is one of the longest-running privately-funded educational programmes in New Zealand, and many of those who planted trees in the 1950s have since returned with their children and grandchildren. Lee Wiren, a resident of Wakefield, has a family connection with Coronation Forest. His grandfather worked carting logs out of the forest from the 1970s to the 1990s, and he works in the industry today as a log truck driver. More >> Source & image credit: OneFortyOne  How education fuels forestry's future
After many years in the teaching field, Patrick (Paddy)
Aislabie’s career branched out in an unexpected
direction. A key connection was all it took for now Silviculture Crew
Manager Paddy to shift into the dynamic world of forestry. During his time working casually for Ace of Spades Contracting in Papamoa, Paddy’s potential was soon recognised by Director Cain McKenzie, who saw the value in his teaching background. “I wasn’t sure if I was doing the right thing,” Paddy admits, reflecting on his shift from education to forestry, “the teaching lifestyle is very different.” Nonetheless, Paddy’s transition to crew manager was seamless, thanks to the support of Ace of Spades and his own adaptability. Cain identified Paddy’s teaching skills as highly transferable, leading to his appointment as an in-house training assessor with the help of Competenz. Competenz registered Paddy as a workplace assessor, which was crucial for his new role. “They offered me access to training and resources that equipped me with the skills I needed to guide students and workers in forestry,” he explains. Paddy found that his experience with diverse student needs translated effectively into supporting forestry learners through their training. Ace of Spades Contracting is actively fostering the next generation through strategic partnerships with local schools. Leveraging Paddy’s connections with secondary schools across the Waikato and Central NorthIsland regions, their pilot programme will offer students from Rotorua Boys’ High School hands-on experience in forestry, allowing them to earn level 2 and3 NCEA credits along the way. “We’re giving students a chance to experience the industry first-hand, " says Paddy. “It’s important to change the perception of forestry and show the students the opportunities the industry truly offers.” Cain highlights the benefits of this initiative, noting “it’s more of a ‘try before you buy’ model. Kids that come out of school don’t know much about forestry because it isn’t part of the curriculum.” For secondary students who show interest in pursuing a career in the industry, Ace of Spades makes efforts to place them within the organisation once they’re ready. “This is a hardworking industry, but the money and pathways are great if you are committed to the job,” says Cain. “Once you get qualified, it opens opportunities for higher pay,” he adds. Paddy says silviculture is diverse and no two day sare the same. He emphasises that the industry welcomes individuals at any stage in their career. “Even when it’s cold and wet and you need to get out the door at 5am, you come to a bunch of good guys and you get looked after.” As the forestry sector has traditionally relied heavily on migrant workers in the past and now faces an aging workforce, Ace of Spades Contracting is focused on rejuvenating the field and maximising talent within the industry. More >> Source: Competenz FSC Forest Week 2024
This Saturday, September 21, marks the start of FSC® Forest
Week 2024, a global initiative aimed at raising consumer
awareness about the critical role of sustainable forestry. Running from
21-27 September 2024, this campaign, led by the Forest Stewardship Council
(FSC), shines a light on the vital role of sustainable forestry in
safeguarding the health of our planet. It highlights the incredible work
of FSC forest stewards, who are on the front lines of combating climate
change and addressing the biodiversity crisis.Over the years, FSC Forest Week has gained significant momentum, inspiring individuals, businesses, and organisations worldwide to take action. This year’s theme, “Small steps together create big change for all”, encourages participants to reflect on how simple daily actions, like making responsible purchasing decisions, can collectively drive significant positive impacts for our planet and its forests. In Australia and New Zealand, forestry organisations, retail giants, fashion brands, packaging leaders, environmental NGOs, and more will be celebrating in an array of ways. From social media participation to magazine features, catalogue highlights, internal awareness events, competitions, and other innovative approaches, FSC certificate holders, members, and promotional licence holders are demonstrating their commitment to sustainable forestry in dynamic and impactful ways. The campaign's call to action is clear: taking steps, no matter how small, contributes to a more sustainable future. FSC Forest Week offers a unique opportunity for consumers, business leaders, and social and environmental organisations alike to engage in the conversation and help spread awareness about the importance of managing forests sustainably for future generations. But the work doesn't stop at the end of the week—FSC encourages everyone to continue making conscious, forest-friendly choices in their daily lives, making this celebration the start of ongoing, positive change. Whether you’re an FSC certificate holder, member, or promotional licence holder, you can join the movement by registering for the campaign. If you're outside the FSC system, you can still show your support by liking and sharing FSC ANZ’s content on social media. Together, we can make a meaningful difference for our forests and the planet's future. FSC certificate holders, members and promotional licence holders register here. Click here to find out more. Source: FSC Australia and New Zealand  Jobs
Buy and Sell
... and one to end the week on... a new job
I started my new job today. My new boss handed me a fiver and said, "First things first Jack, I need you to go down to the shops and buy me a glass hammer, a tin of striped paint and a bubble for a spirit level." And on that note, enjoy your weekend. Cheers. Brand PartnersOur Partners & Sponsors Friday Offcuts is made possible through the generous support of the following companies.
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