Certificate III in Timber and Wood Products Operations

FWP30322

This page is updated when information changes, but it's always best to talk to your training provider to confirm course details before you enrol.

Overview

This qualification describes the skills and knowledge required by people who work in production level jobs in timber or wood product production facilities.

Individuals with this qualification apply specialised skills and knowledge to perform a variety of production roles. These include generic workplace skills in areas such as maintaining personal and team performance, problem solving and complying with health and safety, quality and chain of custody and environmental protection standards. In addition, people working at this level also hold specialised technical skills in areas such as equipment operation and maintenance, process monitoring, product testing and grading. These individuals also understand the production process and workflow in timber or wood products production environments.

At this level, workers complete tasks under limited supervision and collaborate with others to meet productivity requirements.

This qualification includes specialisations in:

  • Timber Production
  • Glue Laminated Timber or Cross Laminated Timber Production
  • Plywood or Laminated Veneer Lumber Production
  • Reconstituted Wood Panel Production.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.

  • Financial help

    • Government funding is available for this course. Check your eligibility for:

      • Career Start (traineeship)

      *To be eligible for this funding, you have to do a traineeship.

      Check your eligibility

  • Cost

    Course costs can vary by provider and location. Ask your training provider for a cost estimate.

    • VET Student Loans are not available
    • You may need to pay for equipment or materials.

    To see how government funding could help to reduce the cost of your course, check your eligibility for funding.

  • On-the-job training

    • Completing this course through a traineeship can help you to learn the skills you need.

    This traineeship is available:

    • Timber Process Operations (General)

  • Entry requirements

    This course doesn't have any entry requirements. It could be a good starting point for your career.

  • Duration

    You complete this course when you’ve learned the skills, not after a set amount of time. The times shown are estimates.

    • Through traineeship:
      2 years
    • Qualification only:
      1–2 years

  • Delivery options

    You may be able to access this training in these ways:

    • Workplace-based
    • Some classroom learning
    • Part-time available
    • Partially online
    • Practical learning

Course content

This course is made up of units.

All courses have core units—these are mandatory for completing the course. Most courses also have elective units, which you can choose from to suit your needs and interests. Not all training providers offer every elective, so check with your provider to find out which electives they can offer you.

For more information about course content, talk to your training provider or visit the National Training Register.

Unit Unit type
Apply quality and product care procedures in forest and wood products operations Core
Apply safety, health and environmental requirements in forest and wood products operations Core
Access and provide timber and wood product information Elective
Achieve work outcomes Elective
Apply 5S procedures Elective
Apply critical workplace processes in the manufacture of prefabricated timber building systems Elective
Apply knowledge of timber properties, sawmill operations and sawmilling equipment Elective
Apply principles of timber and process optimisation in sawmill operations Elective
Assemble products Elective
Assemble, operate and dismantle a portable sawmill Elective
Assess and maintain cutter performance Elective
Assess and maintain saw blade and sawing machine performance Elective
Assess wood materials visually Elective
Build and maintain timber stacks Elective
Calibrate and maintain scanning equipment used in sawmilling operations Elective
Communicate and interact effectively in the forest and wood products industry Elective
Communicate effectively with general public or stakeholders concerned about forest practices Elective
Conduct dozer operations Elective
Conduct excavator operations Elective
Conduct front-end loader operations Elective
Conduct heat plant operations Elective
Conduct laboratory-based acceptance tests for construction materials Elective
Conduct operator level equipment maintenance in forest and wood products industry Elective
Conduct specialised forklift operations Elective
Conduct steam boiler operations Elective
Conduct waste resource recovery Elective
Conduct weighbridge operations Elective
Contribute to energy efficiency in the forest and wood products industry Elective
Control and monitor automated green mill saw line Elective
Coordinate and monitor wood chip stockpile Elective
Coordinate set up and operation of timber finger jointing line Elective
Cross cut materials with a fixed saw Elective
Cut material to length and angles Elective
Cut material to shape using a saw Elective
Cut material using CNC sizing machines Elective
Cut timber or engineered wood product to length or dimensions Elective
Cut timber or engineered wood product to profile Elective
Cut timber products using high-speed optimiser Elective
Develop knowledge of chain of custody certification requirements for forest and wood products Elective
Develop knowledge of glue laminated timber or cross laminated timber production Elective
Develop knowledge of log yard operations Elective
Develop knowledge of plywood or laminated veneer lumber production Elective
Develop knowledge of reconstituted wood panel production Elective
Develop knowledge of the forest and wood products industry Elective
Develop knowledge of veneer preparation in plywood or laminated veneer lumber production Elective
Ensure the safety of transport activities (Chain of Responsibility) Elective
File and set saw blades for hand saws and circular saws Elective
Grade and mark logs Elective
Grade wood product visually Elective
Hand sharpen knives and blades for commercial and domestic cutting services Elective
Identify equipment faults Elective
Identify glues and gluing systems used in production of wood products Elective
Implement environmentally sustainable work practices in the work area/work site Elective
Install prefabricated timber building systems on-site Elective
Licence to operate a forklift truck Elective
Load and prove operating program for CNC machine Elective
Load and unload goods/cargo Elective
Machine material Elective
Machine timber or engineered wood products using CNC machining and processing centres Elective
Manufacture using joinery machines Elective
Monitor process operations Elective
Monitor stock control procedures Elective
Operate and maintain a table saw Elective
Operate and maintain a thicknesser Elective
Operate automated stacking equipment Elective
Operate conventional log breakdown saw line Elective
Operate four wheel drive vehicle in a towing situation Elective
Operate four wheel drive vehicle on unsealed roads Elective
Operate timber drying kiln Elective
Operate timber finger jointing line Elective
Organise receival and despatch operations Elective
Participate in continuous improvement Elective
Plane and sand engineered wood product Elective
Prepare timber or related products to meet import/export compliance requirements Elective
Provide First Aid Elective
Recover four wheel drive vehicle Elective
Replace saw blades, knives and guides Elective
Re-saw green timber Elective
Sample and test materials and product Elective
Screen wood chips Elective
Select and saw logs in multi-species operations Elective
Set up and run multi-head moulder to produce complex profiles Elective
Set up and run multi-head moulder/planer to produce simple profiles Elective
Set up, operate and maintain end matching machines Elective
Sharpen and position blades or knives in chipper, canter and reducer Elective
Sharpen circular saw blades Elective
Sharpen cutters using a straight knife grinder Elective
Shift materials safely using manual handling methods Elective
Test finger jointed timber Elective
Test laminated wood product Elective
Test wood chips quality Elective
Transfer wood chips Elective
Treat timber Elective
Undertake minor maintenance Elective
Use hand-held tools Elective
Use organisation computers or data systems Elective
Use scanning equipment for timber grading Elective
Use structured problem-solving tools Elective
Visually stress grade cypress Elective
Visually stress grade hardwood Elective
Visually stress grade softwood Elective
Work in a team Elective

Job prospects

The Certificate III in Timber and Wood Products Operations sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.

  • Other Architectural, Building and Surveying Technician

    ANZSCO 312199

    Other Architectural, Building and Surveying Technicians includes jobs like Roof Truss Detailer, and Structural Steel Detailer.

    Recommended education level:
    Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree

  • Power Generation Plant Operator

    ANZSCO 399213

    Power Generation Plant Operators operate boilers, turbogenerators and associated plant to generate electrical power.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate III or IV

  • Sawmilling Operator

    ANZSCO 711313

    Sawmilling Operators set up and operate machines to cut logs into planks of standard sizes.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate II or III

  • Other Wood Processing Machine Operator

    ANZSCO 711314

    Other Wood Processing Machine Operators operate machines that strip and prepare logs, remove bark, cut logs and timber, create wood chips, and cut, glue, press, trim, sand, splice, mould and repair wooden boards of various grades, forms and combinations.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate II or III

  • Reinforced Plastic and Composite Production Worker

    ANZSCO 711515

    Reinforced Plastic and Composite Production Workers operate machines to apply gelcoat, colouring and fibre reinforced plastic to moulds, in order to produce fibreglass and laminated products.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate II or III

  • Engineering Production Worker

    ANZSCO 712311

    Engineering Production Workers perform a range of production process tasks to refine and treat metals and mineral ore, fire ceramics, and operate plant to produce and finish metal products such as rods, tubing and structural shapes, and moulds for casting.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate II or III

  • Wood and Wood Products Factory Worker

    ANZSCO 839413

    Wood and Wood Products Factory Workers perform routine tasks in wood processing and timber product factories, such as placing logs on equipment and conveyors, assisting with measuring and cutting of materials, and setting up and operating plant equipment.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate I or secondary education

Training providers delivering Certificate III in Timber and Wood Products Operations

It's a good idea to research multiple training providers to make sure you're getting the right training for you.

Showing: 2 providers

How to enrol in this course

To enrol, choose a training provider that offers this course. You can see provider details on this page.

When you find one that you think suits you, visit their website or contact them directly to confirm details like start dates, fees, funding, delivery locations and delivery options.

The provider will guide you through the enrolment process.

Delivery locations can change as students enrol. If you're doing any workplace-based training, like an apprenticeship, this will take place in a different location from your classroom training. Contact your training provider to confirm delivery locations.
Government funding may be available. Contact your training provider to confirm.
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