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Careers Profile

As a Panel and Board Production Operator, you’ll work in a factory environment manufacturing a range of products that could include:

• wood panels and boards


• veneers and plywoods


• engineered wood products.

You’ll be part of a team, probably working shifts and increasing your skills and training the longer you stay on the job.

You’ll also contribute to the environment by producing one of the world’s most sustainable and environmentally friendly materials.

Depending on you and your employer, you may have the opportunity to become a leading hand or foreman in the production team.

Role

Your role will vary according to your employer and the position, and you’ll usually have the opportunity to learn more than one skill.

Your working day could include:

• Timber stacking and packing


• Bundling, loading and dispatching orders


• Machine monitoring


• Forklift and mobile equipment operation


• General maintenance

Responsibilities

You will be responsible for helping to produce a quality product to specification, performing your role in the manufacturing team and working safely at all times.

Ideal Attributes

You’ll be comfortable with reading and writing, have good hand-eye cocordination and enjoy doing practical, manual work in a team environment. You’ll also be happy doing shift work.

A high level of understanding and commitment to occupational health and safety is essential.

Qualifications

Typically, starting a Panel and Board Production Operator requires some secondary education. On the job training to Certificate II and III levels will broaden and improve your skills and career.

Employers in the forest and wood products industry are very supportive of ongoing training and skills development.

Employers

Potential employers are wood panel and board manufacturers and plywood and engineered wood products manufacturers.