This theme consists of three projects aimed at building capacity for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) by upskilling workplace-based and accredited trainers and assessors. These projects also explore flexible training and assessment models for critical roles such as saw technicians and wood machinists, and strategic coordination of RTO assessors in forestry operations.
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Financial Support Model, Resources and Pilots to Upskill Workplace Trainers and RTO Staff
This pilot project provides resources and financial support to help upskill existing and potential workplace-based trainers and assessors, as well as formally accredited trainers and assessors working in Registered Training Organisations (RTOs).
The objective is to increase the pool of these professionals and ensure they have the skills to deliver high-quality training and assessment.
Pilot Regions
- National–All regions
Pilot Sectors
- Forest growing & management
- Harvesting & haulage
- Sawmilling & processing
- Timber building products & manufacturing
- Women / First Nations
Activities
Develop a model that outlines financial assistance options for upskilling workplace-based trainers, assessors, and RTO staff.
Develop induction courses and materials for potential workplace-based trainers and assessors in selected sectors, with plans to expand to other sectors. These will be tailored to the needs of different sectors, with preliminary materials created first and then finalised based on feedback.
Identify the upskilling requirements for RTO trainers and assessors, prioritising the trainers and assessor needs.
Develop materials to promote the upskilling programs and encourage participation among workplace-based trainers and assessors.
Conduct pilot programs in selected regions and sectors and produce reports detailing the outcomes of these pilots.
Develop a strategy to expand the validated models across various sectors and regions.
Prepare a final report on the overall project for broader accessibility.
Timeline
| Financial Support Model | December 2024 |
| Draft and Final Induction Courses and Materials | Mar 2025 / Jun 2025 |
| Upskilling Needs Report | March 2025 |
| Promotional Materials | March 2025 |
| Pilot Progress and Final Reports | Jun 2025 / Sep 2025 / Dec 2025 / Mar 2026 |
| Scaling Strategy | May 2026 |
| Final Report | May 2026 |
Related Projects
Elements of this project are anticipated to integrate with projects 5, 7, 8 and 18.
Partners
- Timber Training Creswick
Regions
- National–All regions
Sectors
- Forest growing & management
- Harvesting & haulage
- Sawmilling & processing
- Timber building products & manufacturing
- Women / First Nations
Project Coordinator
[Name]
Workforce Development Manager
wdm@forestworks.com.au
T: [Phone Number]
Embedding RTO Trainers and Assessors in Major Sawmilling and Processing Facilities
This pilot project develops models to integrate Registered Training Organisation (RTO) trainers and assessors into major sawmilling and processing facilities for a more efficient and collaborative training environment. It will allow workers from multiple workplaces within a region to train together at a central ‘host’ facility, enhancing training opportunities in critical occupations such as saw technicians and wood machinists.
Pilot Regions
- QLD – Southern / NE NSW
- SA/VIC Greater Green Triangle
- TAS
- WA
Pilot Sectors
- Sawmilling & processing
Activities
Develop a model that coordinates and aggregates training demand, allowing one sawmill to act as a ‘host’ facility where workers from various businesses in the region can receive training together.
Establish a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between sawmills and RTOs in selected regions to pilot the ‘host’ facility model.
Identify the demand for training in key roles and determine the need for workplace-based trainers and assessors in these regions.
Determine the need for workplace-based trainers and assessors in these regions and develop a trainers and assessor engagement plan.
Recruit pilot participants from sawmilling and processing operations, ensuring diverse representation from the selected regions.
Identify and prepare potential workplace-based trainers and assessors.
Develop training schedules that align with the operations of the host sawmills and engage workplace-based and qualified trainers and assessors.
Run pilot training sessions using the ‘host’ facility model.
Monitor the outcomes of the pilot, evaluate the effectiveness of the operating model, and prepare comprehensive reports on the results.
Develop a scalability plan to expand the ‘host’ training model to other regions and facilities.
Prepare a final report on the overall project for broader accessibility.
Timeline
| Engagement Model Document | December 2024 |
| Finalised MOU | December 2024 |
| Training Demand Report | December 2024 |
| Trainers and Assessors Engagement Plan | March 2025 |
| Training Schedules | March 2025 |
| Pilot Progress and Final Reports | Jun 2025 / Sep 2025 / Dec 2025 / Mar 2026 |
| Scaling Strategy Report | May 2026 |
| Final Report | May 2026 |
Related Projects
Elements of this project are anticipated to integrate with Project 4.
Partners
- TAFE NSW
- Timber Training Creswick
- Timber Queensland
Project Coordinator
[Name]
Workforce Development Manager
wdm@forestworks.com.au
T: [Phone Number]
Coordinating RTO Assessors in Forest Operations to Minimise Downtime
This pilot project develops a model to streamline the assessment process in the forest operations sector by coordinating the scheduling of Registered Training Organisation (RTO) assessors during optimal periods to minimise production downtime and other disruptions.
The project seeks to allow assessments to be conducted efficiently without hindering day-to-day operations.
Pilot Regions
- SA/VIC Greater Green Triangle
- VIC – Gippsland
- VIC/NSW – Murray
Pilot Sectors
- Forest growing & management
- Harvesting & haulage
Activities
Develop a framework for collaboration between RTOs and industry enterprises, including a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formalise commitments for the pilot project.
Identify the specific demand for assessments within forest operations enterprises in selected regions.
Determine the need for workplace-based trainers and assessors in these regions and develop a trainers and assessor engagement plan.
Identify and prepare potential workplace-based trainers and assessors.
Recruit pilot participants from forest operations enterprises, ensuring diverse representation from the selected regions.
Develop a coordinated schedule, including the timing and frequency needed to minimise downtime.
Engage assessors to participate in the pilot and conduct induction sessions to ensure they are familiar with the specific requirements of the pilot project.
Deploy assessors to participating enterprises according to the developed schedule, conducting assessments during designated low-impact periods.
After each assessment session, gather feedback from both assessors and enterprise representatives to evaluate the effectiveness of the program in reducing production downtime and to identify any areas for improvement.
Compile findings into a final report detailing activities, outcomes, lessons learned, and recommendations.
Develop a scalability plan to expand the assessor coordination model to other regions and facilities.
Prepare a final report on the overall project for broader accessibility.
Timeline
| Signed MOUs | December 2024 |
| Assessment Demand Report | December 2024 |
| Coordinated Schedule | March 2025 |
| Pilot Progress and Final Reports | Jun 2025 / Sep 2025 / Dec 2026 / Mar 2026 |
| Scaling Strategy Report | May 2026 |
| Final Report | May 2026 |
Related Projects
Elements of this project are anticipated to integrate with Project 4.
Partners
- TAFE Gippsland
- TAFE NSW
- Timber Training Creswick
- Australian Forest Contractor Association
Project Coordinator
[Name]
Workforce Development Manager
wdm@forestworks.com.au
T: [Phone Number]