The Sector function:

The Timber Merchandising sector covers all wholesalers of timber products and timber merchants selling timber based products to the trade and retail markets. They range in size from large nationally based hardware chains to small family based owner operator businesses. The majority of large Sawmilling companies will have separate marketing operations to wholesale their products, and are also covered by this sector, as are timber importers.

These businesses are wide spread throughout the State, with most towns having at least one timber-merchandising outlet.

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Qualifications for this Sector:
FPI20605 - Certificate II in Forest and Forest Products (Timber Merchandising)
FPI30605 - Certificate III in Forest and Forest Products (Timber Merchandising)
FPI40205 - Certificate IV in Forest and Forest Products (Timber Processing)

Occupations within this Sector:

Forklift Operator Storeman Orderman Despatch Operator Truck Driver Counter/Phone Sales

Sales Representative Estimator Purchaser Timber Grader Sawyer

Short Courses for this Sector:

Chainsaw Operation Visual Stress Grading Forklift Operation Timber Information Session       Appearance Grading Timber Stacker

Customer Service Plan Reading Design Timber Structures Timber Take Off Occupational Health & Safety Sales Representative

Training and Assessment Methods:
The majority of FITEC's training is conducted at a workplace. FITEC schedules its courses based on demand rather than timetabling in advance and for dates not suitable to members of the industry. FITEC is able to deliver courses for numbers as small as 5 students, subject to dates being suitable to both clients and FITEC. The following are a variety of different training and assessment methods used in our training:

Skill Assessment - student is assessed while undertaking a task aligned to the competency. This section may include the requirement to complete a log which records the amount of time spent "practicing" this skill.

Theory Test - the student completes a theory test specifically to meet the competency standard outcomes - it can be either responded by written or verbal depending on student and competency requirement.

Resource Reading - the student reads student handbooks/resources/manufactures instructions handbooks to ensure currency of information in relation to the competency standard requirements.

Theory Assessment - the student completes other activities including short answer questions and specific workplace activities to ensure workplace competence.

Student Workbook - the student completes the activities in the student workbook

Funding Options:
There may be a number of different funding options available to employees of the industry using State Government funding. These initiatives can subsidise training and assessment for one Competency, a group of Competencies or a Nationally Recognised Qualification. These Qualifications are Nationally Recognised and portable and can credit towards numerous Qualifications.

	Employer Cost Cost to FITEC*	Federal Incentives payments**
Traineeship - Certificate II level	$400-$500	$1375
Traineeship - Certificate III level	$500-$700	$4400
Certificate III - existing workers	>$3000	$4400
Certificate IV	$600 - $2900	$4400
Individual Competencies	$Varied	$0

* Costs may vary slightly and are subject to change at the discretion of FITEC
** These incentives may be available for new and existing employees but to determine your eligibility you should contact your local Australian Apprenticeship Centre.

For more information contact FITEC on 3391 7788