28 September 2023 FWP Training Package Update
For the FWP training package updates this September 2023, the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) approved the extended transition period for forest and wood products (FWP) training package qualifications.
Extended Transition Period for FWP Training Package Qualifications
The following are the qualifications covered under the extended transition period:
- FWP20121 – Certificate II in Forest Operations
- FWP30121 – Certificate III in Forest Operations
ASQA granted longer transition period for the FWP20121 and FWP30121 qualifications after determining that not approving an extension can be disadvantageous to a group of learners.
ASQA made the decision to extend the transition period of the following qualifications after consulting with the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) and the Training Accreditation Council of Western Australia (TAC WA).
What Do These FWP Training Package Updates Mean to Your RTO
If your RTO offers these qualifications, you have until 31 January 2025 to ensure that your learners finish their courses. Alternatively, your students can choose to transfer to a more current qualifications available at training.gov.au.
Your RTO can retain the affected FWP training package qualification on your scope of registration until the end of the extended transition period or update them to more current ones.
3 March 2023 FWP Training Package Update on Fell Trees Manually (Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced)
The Forest Management and Harvesting Industry Reference Committee (IRC) in Australia has recently announced changes to the units of competency required for manual tree felling within the FWP training package in Australia. These changes come in response to feedback from the forestry industry that the current units do not provide enough assessment activities for individuals to demonstrate competency.
The IRC has recommended that RTOs continue to use the superseded units until a full review can be conducted in 2023. The current units have been improved, and learners only need to fell a few trees to demonstrate competence within the performance evidence. This change was made to address the issue of tree access in non-forestry setting where it’s not always possible to practice on many trees.
| Superseded Unit | Current Unit |
| FWPCOT2253- Fell trees manually (basic) | FWPCOT2274 Fell trees manually (basic) |
| FWPFGM3216- Fell trees manually (intermediate) | FWPCOT3347 Fell trees manually (intermediate) |
| FWPFGM3217- Fell trees manually (advanced | FWPCOT3348 Fell trees manually (advanced) |
While the changes aim to address the issue of access to trees, the IRC stresses that felling trees is a dangerous task, and students must be fully trained and skilled before being assessed as competent in felling live trees. Any RTO delivering any of the current units of competency must ensure that students have undergone sufficient training before the assessment to ensure they have the necessary skills and knowledge to perform the task safely.
To ensure effective delivery of the updated units, RTOs must read the guidance provided in the CVIG by the Forest Management and Harvesting Industry Reference Committee before applying to include these units in their scope. Additionally, an extra 12-month extension to the teach-out period for these units has been requested from ASQA to assist RTOs during the process.
In conclusion, the FWP training package updates related to manual tree felling competency requirements aim to ensure that students receive appropriate training and assessment to demonstrate their safety and competency. RTOs must stay informed of the changes and ensure their students receive proper training and assessment to meet the updated requirements.
22 February 2023 FWP Training Package Update: FWP40222 Qualification
The latest release of the FWP training package in Australia—Version 8.1, is now live on training.gov.au. The revision presents minor changes to the FWP40222 – Certificate IV in Timber and Wood Products Operations since it was recently updated from release 1 to 2.
FWP40222 reflects the skills and knowledge of production supervisors and technicians in a timber or wood products production facility. The newly updated qualification prepares learners to apply advanced technical and supervisory skills, including knowledge of timber or wood products production processes and skills needed to manage technical operations, address production issues, maintain individual and team performance, and many more.
Individuals who completed the certification are also expected to work autonomously and perform supervisory roles including decision-making in the workplace and leading others.
To know more about the release 2 of this FWP training package update, you may check out this link.
20 January 2023 FWP Training Package Update: Extended Transition Period for FWP Training Package in Australia
The Forest and Wood Products (FWP) training package in Australia has undergone major revisions completed by the Skills Impact last 27 January 2023. This training update is reflected in training.gov.au, which shows several additions and removals of qualifications, units of competency, and skill sets.
Additionally, ASQA has also approved the extension of the transition period for several Forest and Wood Products (FWP) qualifications during this FWP training package update. These are:
- FWP20116 Certificate II in Forest Growing and Management
- FWP20216 Certificate II in Harvesting and Haulage
- FWP30116 Certificate III in Forest Growing and Management
- FWP30216 Certificate III in Harvesting and Haulage
- FWP40116 Certificate IV in Forest Operations
- FWP50116 Diploma of Forest and Forest Products
The new transition deadline has been set to 31 January 2024 for RTOs with the delivery scope. These FWP qualifications will still be in ASQA’s scope of registration until the end of the extended transition period.
