The Albanese Government has used National Forestry Day to announce Round 2 recipients under the Support Plantation Establishment Program (SPEP) and that ForestWorks Ltd will deliver the Forestry Workforce Training Program (FWTP) promised at the 2022 Federal Election, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA), Diana Hallam said today.
"On behalf of Australia's forest industries, we welcome and thank the Hon. Julie Collins MP, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the Albanese Government for these announcements, both fulfilling Labor election commitments made in 2022, on National Forestry Day," Diana Hallam said.
Eight new plantation projects in NSW, Victoria, WA and Tasmania have been announced under Round 2 of the SPEP worth $5.65 million. They are in addition to the 19 projects from Round 1 worth over $10 million.
ForestWorks Ltd has also been confirmed as the provider for the $10 million FWTP and will deliver a suite of activities to improve qualification and credentials access for the sector. It will include pilot projects and trials including a school-to-work traineeship transition program, mentorship for Indigenous Australians and women, and improving training in remote and regional Australia.
"Ongoing investment in Australia's forest industries is critical for the sector to realise its potential for the decades ahead. We are responsible for essential and high quality, sustainable products, provide highly skilled jobs across Australia, and are a big part of Australia's climate change solution and path to net zero emissions," Diana Hallam said.
"We welcome the Government and Minister Collins using National Forestry Day to recognise the broader sector through the plantation establishment and workforce training announcements. It certainly was a very happy National Forestry Day!" Diana Hallam concluded.
