Wood machinists play a crucial role in creating quality timber products that adorn our homes and structures. They are skilled at working with a range of hand tools and machinery, and understand the different types of timber to produce floorboards, kitchen counters, bars, banisters, skirting boards, window and door frames, and more. There are currently two qualifications to support the skills of this job role: the furnishing qualification MSF30322 Certificate III of Cabinet Making and Timber Technology with a specialisation in wood machining, and the forest and wood products qualification FWP31121 Certificate III in Wood Machining.
The Certificate III of Cabinet Making and Timber Technology is the result of a 2022 project which merged three furnishing qualifications, with the aim to retain expertise in crucial job roles, while offering the potential for other career pathways in related areas.
As one of ten new Jobs and Skills Councils (JSCs), Skills Insight was contacted in 2023 by stakeholders with concerns about the title of the Certificate III Cabinet Making and Timber Technology as it may seem like those who have undertaken it are trained in cabinet making rather than in the distinct trade of wood machining. Concerns were also expressed about the reduction of wood machining specific units from 25 in 2008 to only 8 in 2022 and that future graduates may lack the broad range of skills required for competence in wood machining. It is important the qualification reflects the necessary skills and its purpose is clear, so learners and employers have access to the skills they need and those skills are recognised.
Skills Insight is undertaking a research project to explore the complexities of the issue and will produce a report, including:
We welcome your feedback at any time throughout the project. You are encouraged to register for project updates through our newsletter using the subscription button above. Alternatively, please feel free to get in touch with the activity manager Julie Stratford at [email protected] or by calling 03 9321 3526.
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Thank you for participating in our online survey
As part of our research into the Certificate III Cabinet Making and Timber Technology, we conducted a survey from 10 January to 5 February 2024. Thank you to everyone who shared their input. Your insights will be crucial for us to understand how the qualification is being used and whether it meets industry needs.
Consultation so far
Between August and November, Skills Insight has been meeting and talking with stakeholders with an interest in the Certificate III Cabinet Making and Timber Technology. This has included site visits, where the team have had the chance to learn more about cabinet making and wood machining.
As part of these consultations, stakeholder engagement manager Julie Stratford visited Duraform Products, a family owned and operated cabinet manufacturer. Skills Insight is grateful to Tony Aloisi and the employees of Duraform for showing Julie around the factory and volunteering their time and expertise.
Julie also had the opportunity to visit TAFE NSW Lidcombe campus, where she met with wood machining and cabinet making teachers and students and learnt more about the differences in skills needs in these professions.
Site visits also took place with a range of other training providers and employers. Site visits in Adelaide were arranged by and accompanied by Dave Kirner from CFMEU Manufacturing Division.
Training providers
- TAFE NSW Lidcombe Campus
- Box Hill Institute
- Holmesglen Institute
- TAFE Queensland
- TAFE NSW Tighes Hill Campus (Newcastle)
- South West TAFE (Warrnambool)
Employers
- Trendset Cabinets (Warrnambool)
- Duraform (Adelaide)
- IJF (Adelaide)
- Bedford Industries (Adelaide)
Other discussions have been held on phone with a range of registered training organisations (RTOs), employers and peak bodies.