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Priority 4: Strong timber industry communities

Action 12: Build a skilled workforce

Action	Intent
12.1 We will work with the industry to improve coordination of training and skills development for the timber industry.	Coordination and focus are essential for the timber industry to meet its skills development needs by undertaking training including leveraging the Victorian Training Guarantee. Relevant Victorian Government agencies, including research and development providers, will collaborate with Industry Skills Councils, major employers and training providers to identify opportunities to rapidly fill skills gaps, encourage participation, and ensure that training and development meets industry requirements.
12.2 We will work with Indigenous communities, the timber industry and other stakeholders to improve access to training and employment in Victoria’s timber industry by Indigenous Victorians.	The previous government endorsed the National Indigenous Forestry Strategy, which promotes cooperation by all levels of Government, the timber industry, Indigenous communities, and the broader community to increase Indigenous participation in the forest and wood products sector in Australia. The intent of this action is to examine a range of initiatives to improve Indigenous access to training and employment, and explore opportunities to support enterprise development for Indigenous Victorians seeking to participate in the timber industry.
12.3 We will ensure that forest industry training courses adopt best practice in line with industry occupational health and safety standards.	Occupational health and safety (OHS) will be a critical aspect in all training provided by VicForests. Training courses will reflect best practice industry-specific OHS requirements to improve OHS compliance and outcomes.

Action 13: Enhance community understanding of the benefits of Victoria’s forests

Action	Intent
13.1 We will explore options for research into forestry and land-use change.	In line with Action 10.1, we will set priorities for research into socio-economic impacts of land-use change associated with forestry, so that the impacts of such change are understood and managed.
13.2 We will develop a Farm Forestry Plan for Victoria, in close consultation with key farm forestry groups.	In recognition of the various benefits afforded by farm forestry, we will develop a Farm Forestry Plan for Victoria in close consultation with key farm forestry groups, with a focus on forestry practices that best meet individual and community needs.