Silviculture: Fact or Fiction – an Industry Perspective (FICA.ORG)
Afternoon everyone, as summer continues to pump sunshine across the nation today spare a thought for those out planting the these billion trees. Silviculture has been the subject of a lot of discussion lately and I have an interesting take for you today. This comes from an industry post from FICA on the $400 / day to plant trees discussion buzzing around the silviculture industry since Stuff’s article a couple of weeks ago. Let us know your thoughts over on our Facebook page or on Linkedin too. You can also check out our previous blog post here. Cheers, Dale.
FACT OR FICTION?
FICA.ORG.NZ:
Summing up the recent media claims that a silviculture planter will earn $400 a day to plant trees, we would concur with the famous saying ‘one never lets the truth get in the way of a good story‘. Unfortunately, the inaccuracy of the reporting has the forestry industry sector up in arms. Plus, there’s now a flow of people wanting to get into the industry on false presences that they can earn themselves a significant wage package of $2000 per week for five days work.
The quote of 60c a tree was the average figure a forest owner pays a silviculture contractor. Out of that, the contractor will be taking out overheads, management costs, logistics, transport, quality control and staff to deliver trees to the planters on site. This leaves approximately 50% to go to paying wages to their crews. If they are lucky, they’ll cover the costs of ongoing training and compliance that the industry and government agencies demand of the contractor to remain a good employer.
As an experienced silviculture planter, there is certainly the ability to earn above the average weekly package. Though, there are factors that can change this very easily, like the terrain and weather conditions that they are planting in at the time.
The Forest Industry Contractors Association (FICA) have been working with this sector for the last twelve months as silviculture contractors were put under the spotlight following the release of a report in 2017 from MBIE. The report focused on employee exploitation and recognised serious concerns that employees within the sector were particularly vulnerable. The Silviculture Action Group have come along way in their discussions on solutions to improve the sectorm as it faces challenges with labour, with work conditions and with the seasonality of the task. This year, they will be aiming to put in place some initiatives that will assist and support a better environment and a more sustainable sector.
With the government initiative of the Billion Tree plant, the industry is looking at this as a positive opportunity to increase awareness of forestry in New Zealand. This includes all that it offers with respect to employment, economic outcomes and carbon credit contributions. FICA encourages anyone wanting to enter the industry to do so through a reputable contracting company, that can demonstrate a history of good employment practices, or has achieved Safetree Contractor Certification.
Our contractors are good employers who are offering genuine opportunities within forestry and now is the time to take advantage of that in a very positive industry.
