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Timber training course grows talent

Posted on July 24, 2009, 11:11am and updated on July 27, 2009 at 4:03 pm

Whitehead Timber Sales

Whitehead Timber Sales customer service assistant Riley Lovett (centre) proudly stands with assistant manager Mitch Kain and retail manager Greg Kain in front of one of the many dog kennels that Riley has constructed.

A Mount Gambier timber supplier has become the first South Australian business of its kind to adopt a newly introduced TAFE course in a bid to attract more young people to the industry.

Whitehead Timber Sales employed four school-based trainees last June to undertake certificate II in timber merchandising, a course which had only just been offered that year.

Brodie Grass, Justin Bromley and Riley Lovett are all nearing completion and Riley will soon undertake certificate III after Whitehead Timber Sales offered him full-time employment.

With the help of Timber Training Creswick general manager Rob Rule, 16-year-old Riley developed the skills necessary to work in the industry, including the ability to visually assess timber, operate certain equipment and customer service skills.

Riley was offered an apprenticeship at a local mill as a wood machinist, but instead decided to stay with Whitehead as he preferred the job and the working environment.

Whitehead Timber Sales retail manager Greg Kain said the company was excited to give young people the opportunity and already had another two trainees signed up to begin the course this year.

Mr Kain said a shortage of skilled and qualified workers in the industry was a major factor when deciding to begin putting young people through the course.

“There is just not enough young blood coming through the industry,” he said.

Mr Kain believes Whitehead Timber Sales is the only employer in the state to be involved with the program so far.

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