Mapping Workplace Training to PPM Qualifications

Skills recognition is vital for supporting career mobility and acknowledging the expertise already within the Pulp and Paper Manufacturing workforce. This project will map existing workplace training with nationally recognised qualifications, helping to build the case for a formal skills recognition pathway.

The Pulp and Paper Manufacturing (PPM) industry is undergoing significant structural changes, from plant modernisation to broader workforce adjustments. At the same time, rising retirement rates are increasing the urgency of finding and preparing skilled replacements. As businesses adapt to evolving product lines and changing market requirements in Australia, the pressure to maintain a capable workforce is growing. The absence of formal training pathways makes it harder for companies to attract and retain talent, and limits workers’ opportunities for career advancement.

This project aims to bridge the gap between existing in-house training and nationally recognised qualifications, helping ensure that skills are portable and valued across the industry.

About the project

Skills Insight, in partnership with ForestWorks, will map existing workplace training to nationally recognised PPM qualifications. This initiative will:

Align a pilot organisation’s internal training and assessment modules with the national training framework.
Conduct a gap analysis with a registered training organisation (RTO) at a pilot manufacturing site.
Work with industry stakeholders to project future learner demand and develop a strong, sustainable business case for delivering accredited training in the PPM sector.

Scope and purpose

This project will strengthen collaboration between employers, training providers and government to improve how skills are recognised across the PPM sector. By building these connections, the project aims to increase the uptake of accredited training and support long‑term workforce sustainability.

At the conclusion of the project, industry will have access to a comprehensive mapping report and practical recognition of prior learning (RPL) guidance to help formally acknowledge workers’ existing skills.