Bethlehem College
Wood Processing Worker Kaimahi Kani Rākau
Wood processing workers set up and use woodworking machinery to cut logs into timber for building, furniture and other products.
Wood processing workers may do some or all of the following:
- operate sawmill machinery, log loaders and forklifts
- sort, stack and grade timber
- trim timber pieces to a standard length
- record timber sizes and grades and the amount of timber in the yard
- design and make templates and knives
- check and maintain equipment
- clean the work areas and equipment
- package and wrap timber for delivery.
Physical Requirements
Wood processing workers need to have a good level of health and fitness. They also need to have normal colour vision and good hand-eye co-ordination.
Useful Experience
Useful experience for wood processing workers includes:
- work in the timber or forestry industries
- work with heavy machinery
- engineering experience.
Personal Qualities
Wood processing workers need to be:
- practical
- careful and efficient
- safety-conscious
- able to remain calm under pressure.
Skills
Wood processing workers need to have knowledge of:
- the sawmill process
- timber characteristics
- the sizes and grades of timber required for different products
- safety procedures
- mechanical skills for doing basic maintenance on machinery.
Conditions
Wood processing workers:
- work regular business hours, but may do shift work and work weekends
- work in sawmills and timber yards, and may work in noisy and dusty conditions.
Subject Recommendations
There are no specific secondary education requirements to become a wood processing worker. However, construction and mechanical technologies, maths and processing technologies are useful.
Related Subjects
Wood Processing Workers can earn around $48K-$50K per year.
Pay for wood processing workers varies depending on experience.
- Trainee wood processing workers usually earn minimum wage or a little more a year.
- Qualified wood processing workers can earn up to $50,000.
Source: Competenz, 2017.
- PAYE.net.nz website - use this calculator to convert pay and salary information
- Employment New Zealand website - minimum wage rates
Wood processing workers may progress into management or supervisory roles.
Wood processing workers may specialise in:
- finger jointing
- timber machining.
Years Of Training
1-2 years of training required.To become a wood processing worker you need to complete an apprenticeship and gain a New Zealand Certificate in Solid Wood Manufacturing (Level 2 to Level 4). Competenz oversees apprenticeships.
A forklift licence is useful.
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