Thinning to Waste

Develop thinning and waste skills used in the forestry sector. The Thinning to Waste Micro-Credential (Level 3) is designed for those who have been working in the forestry industry for a minimum of 12 months. This micro-credential provides a pathway for learners transitioning into a relevant industry role, or employers wanting to upskill their employees.

The noho-based delivery model can provide learning flexibility around full-time employment. Learners won’t need to ‘give up their day job’ to gain industry-relevant thinning to waste skills.

• The traditional concepts of āhuatanga and tikanga Māori as it relates to forestry operations
• Applying skills and knowledge relevant to entry-level roles in a silviculture operation, specific to thinning to waste
• Safely thinning and felling trees in a commercial forest operation in accordance with accepted industry practice
• Applying skills and knowledge related to managing the positive and negative environmental impact of the industry. 

Some of your learning time will be kaiako-directed. Your kaiako will guide you through instruction and learning activities at a scheduled time and place.

• This might be in noho, classroom or online sessions

The rest of your learning time will be activity-directed. Activity-directed learning is self-guided in your own time and space

• This might consist of completing online activities, attending events, preparing for assessments, or engaging with supporting materials.

This is a part-time programme that consists of 40 credits.

The programme is delivered over 36 weeks, which means you’ll be expected to commit an average of 12 hours per week to your study.

333 learning hours will be kaiako-directed. These hours will be split between:

• 1 x 3-hour classes per week
• 9 noho, 25 hours each

67 learning hours will be activity-directed. This means you will be expected to complete activities in your own time for an average of 1.5 hours per week. The learning hour distribution is at the discretion of your kaiako. For more information on what’s being offered, please contact Tatau Pounamu, our call centre. 

To enrol in this programme, you must:

• be 16 years or older
• 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.

I want to keep studying

Upon completion of your Level 3 qualification, you will be eligible for Level 4 (or higher) training within relevant forestry pathways. If you are interested in further study, speak to your employer about what options may be available to you.

I want to use my skills

Once tauira have successfully completed this micro-credential they will be eligible to transition into further employment opportunities within thinning to waste.

Whakawhanaungatanga | 3 credits

The aim of this kōnae ako is to provide tauira with an understanding of traditional concepts of āhuatanga and tikanga Māori as it relates to forestry operations.

Thinning plantation trees and related equipment | 17 credits

The aim of this kōnae ako is to provide tauira employed or transitioning to the silviculture industry with an understanding of the skills and knowledge relevant to further entry-level roles in a silviculture operation; specific to Thinning to Waste.

Thinning, felling and environmental requirements | 20 credits

The aim of this kōnae ako is to provide tauira with the skills and knowledge to safely thin and fell trees in a commercial forest operation in accordance with accepted industry practice and the management of the positive and negative environmental impact of the industry.