How to become a Timber and Wood Production Worker

Duties & Tasks of a Timber and Wood Production Worker

Timber and wood production workers:

• Select types and grades of timber and measure and cut to order
• Operate bandsaws, gangsaws or circular saws to convert logs to usable timber
• Support and guide timber being sawn
• Assist with the production of veneers, plywoods, laminates and paper products, often using sophisticated computerised equipment
• Assemble fabricated products such as timber frames and trusses
• Undertake specialist operations such as kiln drying and visual or mechanical stress grading
• Stack and pack timber and prepare it for dispatch
• Operate forklifts
• Undertake administrative tasks such as record keeping, including tallying and ordering.

Tasks

• Assisting with measuring and cutting materials
• Transporting processed wood products, such as plywood, chipboard sheets and panels, to work areas
• Assisting with setting up and operating plant and ancillary equipment used in the manufacture of sheets and boards
• Placing logs and wood billets onto conveyors and lathes for processing into chips, veneers and pulp
• Placing timber for processing by machines and unloading cut timber from tail end of machines
• Rolling logs from trucks and conveyors to log decks, saw carriages and stacking bays
• Clearing blockages in machines
• Packing and loading finished products for transportation
• Cleaning work areas, tools and equipment
• Sorting and stacking timber during milling

Working conditions for a Timber and Wood Production Worker

Most timber and wood production workers are employed in regional centres, in businesses ranging from small sawmills to large processing and manufacturing plants. The work can sometimes be physically demanding. However, working conditions have improved with the introduction of new technology and specialist equipment.

Employment Opportunities for a Timber and Wood Production Worker

Timber and wood production workers usually start as general hands in a timber mill. They progress to stacking and assisting with sawing before being put in charge of a saw or other machinery.

Specializations

Kiln Operator (Wood Operator)

A kiln operator (wood operator) uses solar, gas or steam kilns or ovens to dry and season timber and other wood products.

Production Operator (Panel and Board)

A production operator (panel and board) assists in the machining of panels, production of veneers and laminating of boards.

Sawmill and Processing Plant Operator

A sawmill and processing plant operator operates sawmilling and processing plants to cut and sort material.

Timber Truss and Frame Production Fabricator

A timber truss and frame production fabricator operates a range of equipment to dress boards and timber, cut material and assemble products including timber roof and floor trusses.

Timber and Wood Production Worker

Timber and wood production workers assist with the milling, processing and merchandising of timber and timber products such as sawn timber, timber mouldings, roof trusses, wall frames, laminated beams, plywood, hardboard, fibreboard, laminates and veneered products.

• 

  Average age

  38 years

• 

  Future Growth

  Decline

• 

  Gender Share

  8% female

• 

  Average full-time

  41 hours

• 

  Weekly Pay

  $1,013

• 

  Skill level rating

  Entry level

• 

  Unemployment

  Higher Unemployment

• 

  Full-Time Share

  79% Full-Time

• 

  Employment Size

  3,800 workers

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  Employment by state

  ACT: 0.4%
  NSW: 26.4%
  NT: 0.3%
  QLD: 18.9%
  SA: 10.6%
  TAS: 5.4%
  VIC: 30.1%
  WA: 7.8%
  
• 

  Age brackets

  15-19: 6.3%
  20-24: 16.2%
  25-34: 21.7%
  35-44: 17.1%
  45-54: 21%
  55-59: 9.8%
  60-64: 5.6%
  65 and Over: 2.3%
  
• 

  Education level

  Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 2.5%
  Bachelor degree: 2.4%
  Certificate III/IV: 18.1%
  Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 0.5%
  Year 10 and below: 39.7%
  Year 11: 10.3%
  Year 12: 26.5%