This theme includes four projects focused on creating mentoring and training programs for underrepresented groups, with tailored micro-credentials specifically for women and First Nations individuals.
Click the tabs below to view project details. 
Flexible Micro-Credential Delivery Models for Women and Underrepresented Groups in the Industry
This project aims to adapt and test micro-credential programs to increase engagement among women and other underrepresented groups, including First Nations Australians, in the industry.
The micro-credentials will be offered in blended formats, combining online and in-person learning to accommodate different needs and schedules, making it easier for these groups to participate and succeed.
Pilot Regions
- QLD – Southern / NE NSW
Pilot Sectors
- Forest growing & management
- Harvesting & haulage
- Sawmilling & processing
- Timber building products & manufacturing
- Women / First Nations
Activities
Identify and select relevant micro-credential programs, if possible, from national qualifications, focussing on engaging First Nations Australians and women in selected regions and industries.
Create flexible and blended learning materials and training programs tailored to the unique needs of women and First Nations Australians.
Implement strategies to raise awareness and encourage participation, ensuring that women and First Nations Australians are engaged and retained in the programs.
Recruit pilot participants in the targeted regions, with the flexibility to include participants from other areas as needed.
Run pilot training sessions for women and First Nations Australians in the targeted areas, ensuring flexible delivery schedules to meet the specific needs of the targeted learner cohorts.
Establish systems to gather feedback from participants, enabling ongoing adjustments to improve the training experience.
Prepare pilot reports detailing outcomes, lessons learnt and recommendations for adjustments to improve the training experience.
Develop a plan to scale the successful micro-credential programs to other sectors and regions.
Prepare a final report on the overall project for broader accessibility.
Timeline
| Micro-Credential Program Selection | December 2025 |
| Training Needs Analysis Report | December 2025 |
| Tailored Training Materials | March 2025 |
| Outreach and Support Strategy | March 2025 |
| Pilot Progress and Final Reports | Jun 2025 / Sep 2025 / Dec 2026 / Mar 2026 |
| Scaling Plan | May 2026 |
| Final Report | May 2026 |
Related Projects
Elements of this project are anticipated to integrate with projects 15, 19 and 20.
Partners
- Timber Queensland
- TAFE NSW
- Timber Training Creswick
- Tiwi Islands Training & Education Board
- Gumatj Corporation
- The Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation
- Tiwi Plantations Corporation
Project Coordinator
[Name]
Workforce Development Manager
wdm@forestworks.com.au
T: [Phone Number]
Work-Readiness Training for Women in the Industry
This pilot project aims to develop and implement a “work readiness” training program for women in regions with strong employment opportunities in the forestry and wood products industry.
The program will provide essential skills for career entry, structured as a micro-credential or a series of stackable micro-credentials aligned with national qualifications.
Pilot Regions
- NSW – Southeast
- QLD – Southern / NE NSW
- SA/VIC Greater Green Triangle
Pilot Sectors
- Forest growing & management
- Harvesting & haulage
- Sawmilling & processing
- Timber building products & manufacturing
- Women / First Nations
Activities
Conduct consultations to identify required entry-level skills and determine cross-sector micro-credentials for work readiness aligned with national qualifications.
Collaborate with Skills Insight JSC to develop new cross-sector work-readiness micro-credentials as needed, ensuring they meet standards and have broad applicability.
Review existing resources for micro-credential delivery to identify relevant content, customise as needed, and develop new content to address any gaps.
Implement targeted outreach strategies to encourage participation in the pilot program, with a focus on engaging and retaining women.
Recruit pilot participants in the targeted regions, with the flexibility to include participants from other areas based on local employment opportunities and stakeholder interest.
Organise and deliver pilot training sessions for women participants.
Develop criteria and tools to evaluate the mentoring program.
Collect feedback from participants and trainers and make necessary adjustments to the program.
Develop a strategy for promoting and implementing the validated work-readiness program across other regions and sectors.
Prepare a final report on the overall project for broader accessibility.
Timeline
| Consultation Report | December 2024 |
| Determined “Work Readiness” Micro-Credentials | December 2024 |
| Adapted Micro-Credential Content | March 2024 |
| Outreach and Support Strategy | March 2025 |
| Pilop Progress and Final Report | 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 projects 2 and 11.
Partners
- Timber Queensland
- Forestry Australia
- Timber Training Creswick
- TAFE NSW
- Skills Insight JSC
Project Coordinator
[Name]
Workforce Development Manager
wdm@forestworks.com.au
T: [Phone Number]
Mentoring Program for Women in the Industry
This project aims to develop and pilot a mentoring program for women working in the forestry and wood products industry.
The program will provide women with the support, encouragement, and role models they need to complete their training and build long-term careers in the industry.
Pilot Regions
- NATIONAL – All Regions
Pilot Sectors
- Forest growing & management
- Harvesting & haulage
- Sawmilling & processing
- Timber building products & manufacturing
- Women / First Nations
Activities
Conduct consultations to identify existing mentoring and support programs in other industries and find best practices and adaptable models for the forestry and wood products industry.
Develop or adapt a mentoring program to support women in completing their training and maintaining employment in the industry.
Create a detailed plan for the pilot mentoring program, including guidelines, approaches and support mechanisms.
Develop and implement targeted outreach strategies to raise awareness and encourage participation.
Recruit participants (mentors and mentees) to test the mentoring model.
Provide training sessions for the pilot mentors and mentees to ensure they understand the program’s goals and processes.
Facilitate regular interactions between mentors and mentees according to the plan, offering ongoing support.
Develop feedback mechanisms, such as surveys and interviews, and use the collected feedback to refine the mentoring model.
Compile pilot reports and recommendations for sustaining and expanding the mentoring program after the pilot phase.
Prepare a final report on the overall project for broader accessibility.
Timeline
| Review Report | December 2024 |
| Customised Mentoring Model | March 2025 |
| Pilot Program Plan | March 2025 |
| Outreach Strategy | March 2025 |
| Pilot Progress and Final Reports | Jun 2025 / Sep 2025 / Dec 2026 Mar 2026 |
| Scaling Report | May 2026 |
| Final Report | May 2026 |
Related Projects
This project is not expected to depend on or affect any other projects.
Partners
- Forestry Australia
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]
Upskilling Women as Trainers, Assessors and Training Coordinators
This project provides training programs to upskill women as trainers, assessors, and training coordinators in the forestry and wood products industry, empowering them to assume leadership roles within the industry.
Pilot Regions
- NSW – Southeast
- QLD – Southern / NE NSW
- SA/VIC Greater Green Triangle
Pilot Sectors
- Forest growing & management
- Harvesting & haulage
- Sawmilling & processing
- Timber building products & manufacturing
- Women / First Nations
Activities
Conduct consultations to identify specific training demands for upskilling women as trainers, assessors and training coordinators, preferred training times, and delivery methods.
Analyse feedback and adapt training materials to meet these needs.
Implement targeted outreach strategies to encourage participation among potential women workplace-based trainers and assessors in the pilot program.
Recruit women participants for the pilot upskilling program, ensuring representation from selected regions and sectors.
Organise and schedule training sessions, ensuring they align with participants’ preferred timings and modalities.
Deliver the training programs, providing support to participants throughout the training period.
Develop criteria and tools for surveys, interviews, and performance assessments to evaluate the training program.
Collect feedback from participants and trainers and make necessary adjustments to the program.
Prepare pilot reports and recommendations for broader rollout and long-term sustainability of the upskilling women program.
Prepare a final report summarising the overall project for broader accessibility.
Timeline
| Training Needs Report | December 2024 |
| Customised Training Modules | March 2025 |
| Outreach and Support Plan | 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
- Timber Training Creswick
- Forestry Australia
- Timber Queensland
Project Coordinator
[Name] -To be appointed by ForestWorks
Workforce Development Manager
wdm@forestworks.com.au
T: [Phone Number]
First Nations Education and Employment Transition Programs in the Northern Territory
This project focuses on supporting First Nations people in the Northern Territory by helping them navigate key transitions in their education and employment journey.
A First Nations Training and Transition Development Specialist will be appointed to assist individuals moving from school to training, from school to work, and from training to work.
The project also aims to develop stackable micro-credentials and train First Nations mentors to become workplace-based trainers.
Regions
- NT
Sectors
- First Nations
- Forest growing & management
- Harvesting & haulage
- Sawmilling & processing
Activities
Develop a detailed position description, role specifications, and operating budget for the First Nations Training and Transition Development Specialist.
Arrange any necessary placement or secondment for the Specialist to ensure they are well-prepared for the role.
Engage the Specialist and have them start working on and according to an approved work plan.
Develop a detailed work plan, outlining activities, communication and promotion strategies, timelines, responsibilities, and milestones.
Implement targeted outreach strategies to encourage participation among potential First Nations Participants in the program.
Recruit First Nations participants for the education and employment transition program, ensuring representation from selected regions and sectors.
Deliver the education and employment transition programs, providing support to participants throughout the training period.
Establish a system for regular updates on the activities and progress.
Collect and analyse data on project outcomes.
Prepare pilot progress reports that include findings, lessons learned, and recommendations for broader rollout and long-term sustainability of the validated program.
Prepare a final report on the overall project for broader accessibility.
Timeline
| Specialist Role Description | October 2024 |
| Placement/Secondment Agreement | November 2024 |
| Work Plan Developed | December 2024 |
| Pilot Progress and Final Reports | Mar 2025 / Jun 2025 Sep 2025 / Dec 2026 Mar 2026 |
| Scaling Strategy Report | May 2026 |
| Final Report | May 2026 |
Related Projects
This project is not expected to depend on or affect any other projects.
Partners
- Gumatj Corporation
- Tiwi Plantations Corporation
- Tiwi Islands Training & Education Board (TITEB)
Project Coordinator
[Name] – To be appointed by TITEB
First Nations Training and Transition Development Specialist
wdm@forestworks.com.au
T: [Phone Number]