Forestry Production and Operations Foreman

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Forestry Production and Operations Foreman. A Forestry Production and Operations Foreman plans, organises, leads, controls, coordinates, and reviews a range of weekly/monthly forestry operations. He or she also interprets at a tactical level, forestry teams in compliance with operational plans, safety, health, environment, risk and quality performance standards and procedures. A qualified learner will be able to: • Implement tactical plans and transform them into operation plans and report to the manager on production quality and quantity. • Control and coordinate a range of forestry processes to drive and obtain production targets. • Monitor team production and meeting regularly with supervisors to ensure that the established production criteria are met. • Maintain compliance with all occupational safety, health, environment, risk and quality forestry performance standards and labour legislation.

The Forestry industry is labour-intensive and has many forestry foremen that do not have formal training making the need for this qualification important. The industry is also changing and shrinking rapidly due to modernisation and mechanisation. It requires managing a high-risk environment and as a result skilled forestry foremen are required. The outsourcing of production processes and activities to large and small contractors leads to diverse employment conditions which require some standardisation. This qualification will meet the need of an existing gap in the industry of qualified Forestry Production and Operations Foremen. Currently, supervisors are trained in the industry and courses such as the Supervisory Development Programme are offered to them. The skill levels of people living in rural areas will be uplifted through education and training within the forestry industry. Current employees in forestry will be directly targeted and benefit from this qualification. Given that forestry is very rural, this qualification presents an opportunity for development of individuals that live in these rural areas in terms of equipping them with knowledge and skills. Previously disadvantaged individuals and women should benefit from this qualification. Learners who complete this qualification will have an increased skill level of overseeing operations. This qualification relates to forestry foremen currently employed in the industry. Upon completion, learners may pursue other further qualifications such as the NQF level 5 Forestry Technician qualification or NQF Level 6 Diploma in Forestry. This qualification will contribute to the strategies on job creation and rural development making it more lucrative for people to remain in rural areas.

1.Compile a detailed production plan for a forestry operation and worksite such as a compartment, nursery or depot. 2.Organise and coordinate the activities of forestry teams. 3. Apply system balancing principles referring to current, continuous and future needs to achieve the execution of the production plans. 4. Implement and maintain a monitoring system to achieve safety, health, environment, risk and quality forestry performance and operational standards. 5. Inspect work sites, forestry activities and machines for compliance, safety, health, environment, risk and quality (SHERQ). 6.Report to management on the achievement of forestry standards. 7.Communicate a detailed production plan to subordinates ensuring clarity of understanding. 8. Advise workers and management on compliance of workplace and work activities with all occupational safety, health, environment, risk and quality forestry performance standards and labour legislation.