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Mount Gambier educating Australia’s next generation of foresters

This week, environmentally driven students from across the nation have gathered at the University of South Australia’s Mount Gambier campus to participate in the residential component of the Plantation Management unit of the Graduate Certificate in Forestry, the first program of its kind in Australia.

“As Mount Gambier continues to emerge as the nation’s leading hub for softwood plantations, processing and forest innovation, it is incredibly fitting for the University of South Australia in Mount Gambier to host this unit, as this program is helping to educate the next generation of foresters”, said Mr Nathan Paine, Chief Executive Officer of the South Australian Forest Products Association (SAFPA).

“The coordination and development of the post-graduate program has been made possible through the $300,000 investment from the Albanese Government’s Forestry Workforce Training Program, reinforcing the government’s commitment to building a strong, skilled forestry workforce”, continued Mr Paine

“Equally critical to the program’s success is the $1.6 million commitment over five years from forestry companies, which underwrote student places to guarantee program delivery. Without this strong industry support, the program would not have been viable. This collaboration highlights the forestry sector’s commitment to workforce development and its recognition of the importance of ongoing education and training”, Mr Paine added.

As there is no longer any undergraduate degree in forestry, the Graduate Certificate in Forestry is being developed and delivered through a collaboration between 5 universities: University of Tasmania, Australian National University, University of South Australia, University of the Sunshine Coast and University of Melbourne.  With no single University able to deliver a comprehensive program independently, this national initiative represents a collaborative approach between academia, industry, and government to ensure education delivery.

Coordinated by the University of Tasmania, the program brings together the expertise of five universities to deliver a curriculum that blends theoretical knowledge with practical experience in sustainable forest management and forest product processing and utilization.

“This program is yet another example of what can be achieved when the forestry industries, ForestWorks educational institutions, and government come together to support an industry that literally helps build the nation,” said Mr Paine.

“The South Australian Forest Products Association is working with the South Australian Government to deliver a range of exciting programs designed to drive innovation in our forest industries from installation of the nation’s biggest AI-powered fire detection network through to the new Forestry Centre of Excellence and investment in a new Tree Breeding Australia R&D facility.

“Recognising the Green Triangle as a key softwood manufacturing hub in the nation, we warmly welcome all participating students to Mount Gambier and look forward to the next generation of foresters contributing towards the future of Australia’s forestry and timber industries”, concluded Mr Paine

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