Overview
To provide students with the basic knowledge and skills required to work in the forestry industry.
This programme provides the basic knowledge and skills required to get started in the forestry industry. You’ll learn basic skills in either harvesting (including chainsaw skills and maintenance), or silviculture, from chainsaw skills to plantation forest establishment and pruning. You’ll also be able to carry out basic first aid, and learn how worker performance is affected by a range of factors.
You will learn to:
- Demonstrate basic skills in either harvesting (chainsaw skills, breaking out, processing stems to log length) or silviculture (chainsaw skills, plantation forest establishment, pruning plantation trees, releasing plantation trees)
- Provide first aid
- Demonstrate knowledge of industry regulations according to the approved code of practice.
Entry Requirements
All applicants must:
- be at least 16 years old at the time the programme commences.
- be able to understand follow, and respond to instructions given in English.
- be physically able to complete the programme specific outcomes
All applicants must:
- be at least 16 years old at the time the programme commences.
- be able to read, write, and communicate in English at a basic level.
- be physically able to complete the programme-specific outcomes.
All applicants must:
- be at least 16 years old at the time the programme commences.
- be able to read, write, and communicate in English at a basic level.
- be physically able to complete the programme-specific outcomes.
Applicants for whom English is not a first language must have an IELTS score of 5 with no band score lower than 5; or an accepted international equivalence.
All applicants must:
- be at least 16 years old at the time the programme commences.
- be able to read, write, and communicate in English at a basic level.
- be physically able to complete the programme-specific outcomes.
Applicants for whom English is not a first language must have an IELTS score of 5.5 with no band score lower than 5; or an accepted international equivalence.
All applicants must:
- be at least 16 years old at the time the programme commences
- be able to read, write, and communicate in English at a basic level
- be physically able to complete the programme specific outcomes
Students will be expected to participate in drugs testing, as this is a requirement by the forestry industry.
Intakes & Applications
Dates & Bookings
Youth Guarantee Fund*
If you are aged 16 to 24, you could study for FREE as part of the government's Youth Guarantee fund. To qualify for the Youth Guarantee fund, you must meet the following criteria:
- Complete an application for a course that is covered by the Youth Guarantee fund.
- Be a NZ citizen or permanent resident.
- Be 16 to 24 years old at the time the course starts. Learners who are 15 years old and hold Ministry approved early leaving exemption from their school may also be eligible. This exemption must be in place before the course starts.
Priority places will be given to students who:
- have not yet achieved NCEA Level 1 or NCEA Level 2; or
- have completed a Level 1 or Level 2 qualification through a Youth Guarantee provision programme.
All free study is subject to funding confirmation. Proof of residency status is required. Programme entry criteria may apply. Eligibility for student allowances or student loans may vary. Contact Studylink for more information.
All fees are in New Zealand Dollars and are approximate only - includes GST but excludes the Compulsory Student Services Fee (CSSF) levy. Unless otherwise stated, the fees shown are for domestic students only. For programmes longer than one academic year in duration, the fees quoted are for the first year. Final study costs depends on a number of factors including the courses you select to study.
Courses and programmes may be cancelled, postponed or have their content or configuration changed from time to time (including during the academic year) at the discretion of NorthTec. See our full Terms and conditions.
Additional Information
Career pathways and opportunities
This qualification can lead to the New Zealand Certificate in Forestry Operations (Level 3) or New Zealand Certificate in Forest Harvesting Operations (Level 3).
Holders of this qualification will be equipped to work in entry-level roles in a forestry or harvesting operation. They could be employed as planters, pruners, breaker-outs or manual processors.
- Skid work
- Breaking out - Hauler - Ground based
- Log making
- Machine operation
About Te Pūkenga
NorthTec is part of Te Pūkenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (Te Pūkenga). From 1 October 2022, all references to NorthTec or Northland Polytechnic on this website (and any documentation linked through this website) need to be read as references to Te Pūkenga and its NorthTec business division.
Te Pūkenga brings the Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs) and the arranging training activities of certain Industry Training Organisations (ITOs) together to create a national network. This will give learners more choices and flexibility in what, where, and how they learn.
Existing NorthTec ākonga (learners) will be enrolled with Te Pūkenga automatically in the same qualification and will continue to learn in the same way, in the same place, with the same people.
Learners should note that all programmes offered across Te Pūkenga are under review to ensure they are portable, consistent and aligned with the needs of industry and may be changed. Where there are changes to programmes that you have applied to enrol in, you will be notified of these changes.
