Thinning to Waste Training Scheme

  • Level 3
  • 36 weeks - part-time
  • No fees

Applications are now open.


Programme overview

The Thinning to Waste Training Scheme is for those who are employed in a relevant silviculture role who want to add to their current skill base.

For employees in the sector: Give your future career a boost with industry-relevant training in the thinning to waste sector.

For employers: Encourage your employees to gain more knowledge, skills, and experiences that are required in this sector, which will help them progress into further forestry employment opportunities.

A training scheme is study and training that leads to an award but does not, of itself, lead to a qualification listed on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework.


You'll learn about

  • The traditional concepts of tikanga Māori (Māori customs) and how they relate to forestry operations
  • Thinning plantation trees to accepted industry standards and current commercial practices
  • Identifying and describing equipment used in thinning plantation trees
  • Explaining factors affecting the selection of equipment used in thinning operations
  • Identifying hazards, risks, and mitigation measures related to chainsaw use in a commercial forestry operation
  • Demonstrating skills related to the operation, use, and maintenance of chainsaws in a commercial forestry operation
  • Discussing and describing commercial tree-felling operations, techniques, and practices
  • Discussing environmental and legislative considerations relevant to forestry operations
  • Applying skills in thinning plantation trees under 200mm stump diameter to waste following industry practice

Where will this take me?

I want to keep studying

For further training tauira might be interested in transitioning via their employer to another education provider at Level 4 or higher. Graduates of this programme may progress on to the following qualifications:

  • New Zealand Certificate in Forestry Operations (Level 3) with strands in Chemical Handling, Mensuration, Pruning, and Thin to Waste, or
  • New Zealand Certificate in Forest Harvesting Operations (Level 3) with strands in Basic Machine Operation, Tree Felling, Breaking Out - Cable, Breaking Out - Ground Based, Manual Processing, Log Scaling, Poleman, Production Thinning, and Quality Control

I want to use my award

On successful completion of the programme, employees will have the confidence to enter employment in thinning to waste operations. With additional training and/or experience they may go on to other roles in the forestry industry, such as forestry operations or forestry harvesting.


How you'll study

This is a part-time programme that consists of 40 credits delivered over 36 weeks. You will be required to attend:

  • Kura whakaako – Kaiako (tutor) facilitated tutorials and Work Based Learning visits for 10.5 hours per month over 9 months, which includes a 2-hour tutorial each week
  • 9 x noho (25 hours per noho)
  • At least 20 hours work-integrated learning (practical experience based on simulated work situations).

You’ll also need to complete learning activities in your own time that are designed to enhance your learning for approximately:

  • 2.3 hours per week

Entry criteria

To enrol in this programme, a potential student must:

  • be at least 16 years of age
  • be a New Zealand citizen or resident (or citizen of Australia, Tokelau, Niue or the Cook Islands)
  • reside in New Zealand
  • be employed in a relevant silviculture industry role for at least 12 months where employer administers a drug and alcohol testing programme
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