Project 18. Upskilling Women as Trainers, Assessors and Training Coordinators

Home / ForestWorks / Forestry Workforce Training Program 2024-2027 / Project 18. Upskilling Women as Trainers, Assessors and Training Coordinators

Project Description

This project delivers targeted training programs to help women in the forestry and wood products industry upskill as trainers, assessors, and training coordinators, empowering them to take on leadership roles in training across the sector.

The program offers flexible and accessible micro-credential pathways designed to meet the real-world needs of women in the industry. It aims to enhance diversity in training roles and strengthen the industry’s overall capacity to deliver high-quality, inclusive training.

Timeline

March 2025 – June 2027

Lead Organisation

Led and delivered by TAFE Gippsland, with support from Timber Training Creswick

Contact

Paul Clerks
Manager and Education Projects | TAFE Gippsland
pclerks@tafegippsland.edu.au

Kaye Tyter
Workforce Development Manager | ForestWorks
ktyter@forestworks.com.au

Supporting Women’s Leadership in Training and Workforce Development Roles

Led by TAFE Gippsland, this project aims to increase the number of women qualified to become workplace-based trainers, assessors, and training coordinators in the forestry and wood products industry.

These roles are essential to strengthening internal training capacity and driving workforce development across the industry. The project addresses a clear need for accessible and flexible training pathways that recognise and accommodate the diverse work and life commitments of women in the industry.

Why It Matters

The forestry and wood products industry is facing a growing need for skilled trainers and assessors who understand the operational context and can support workforce development from within. Women are underrepresented in these roles, often facing barriers such as:

  • Rigid training schedules
  • Caregiving responsibilities
  • Geographic isolation
  • Limited access to mentors and support.

By creating flexible, stackable micro-credentials, this project enables women to upskill at their own pace, in formats that suit their lives and work environments. This not only supports individual career growth but also helps employers build internal training capacity, improve retention, and foster inclusive workplace cultures.

Stakeholder Perspectives and Key Insights

Through consultations with industry employers, training organisations, First Nations advisors, and women working in the sector, TAFE Gippsland heard a consistent message: to support women genuinely, training must be flexible, inclusive, and responsive to real-life circumstances.

These insights are shaping the design and delivery of the pilot micro-credential programs — a series of short, stackable skill sets that can be completed online or through blended learning, allowing participants to balance training with their work and personal commitments.

Delivery Format Matters

Traditional face-to-face training, such as full-day sessions held weekly over long periods, is often difficult for women to attend due to work and personal commitments.

Feedback shows a clear preference for online, blended, and short-format options, particularly:

  • Short-format sessions held on Fridays or in the evenings (6–9 pm)
  • Self-paced online components that offer greater flexibility and accessibility.
Support Structures Are Essential

Access to mentors, peer support, and culturally aware trainers significantly improves engagement and completion.

Affordability Is Key

While Free TAFE initiatives help with enrolment costs, time off work, and loss of income remain barriers for casual workers.

Micro-Credentials Are Effective

Skill sets offer a practical starting point for women to enter training roles without committing to full qualifications upfront.

Learning Pathway to Become a Trainer, Assessor, or Training Coordinator

The following offers a flexible, stackable, and nationally recognised approach for individuals aspiring to become trainers, assessors, or training coordinators. Learners can progress at their own pace, building from foundational skills through to full qualifications aligned with their career goals.

For those needing support with literacy, numeracy, and communication (foundation skills):

Certificate I in Skills for Vocational Pathways

For those interested in delivering training in the workplace:

TAESS00028 Work Skill Instructor Skill Set (2 units)

  • Piloted as part of Project 4 and this project for the woman participant cohort.
  • Delivered online by TAFE Gippland with mentor support, interactive content, and LMS-hosted resources.
  • Units can be credited or transferred into the full TAE40122 qualification.

For those interested in assessing competency in the workplace:

TAESS00032 Assessor Skill Set (3 units)

  • It can be delivered online by TAFE Gippsland with similar support structures.

For those seeking to transition into a formal, full trainer/assessor role:

TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment

Next Steps: Preparing for Pilot Delivery in 2026

The project is now entering its final development phase, with several key activities underway through to December 2025:

  • Adapting delivery models for the TAESS00028 Work Skill Instructor Skill Set (piloted under Project 4 and this project) to better support the women’s participant cohort. Adjustments are being made based on feedback, focusing on flexible delivery formats and scheduling, mentoring support, and the integration of diversity and inclusion principles.
  • Grouping women who registered as workplace-based trainers following the Expressions of Interest process, in preparation for the next TAESS00028 Work Skill Instructor Skill Set intake scheduled to commence in February 2026.

Applications are now closed.

Call for Expressions of Interest | Become a Workplace-Based Trainer

ForestWorks, in partnership with TAFE Gippsland, invites expressions of interest for a new training program supporting the development of in-house training across the forestry and timber industries.

Funded by the Australian Government’s Forestry Workforce Training Program (FWTP), this program helps employers and workers gain practical skills to deliver workplace training alongside relevant RTOs. It offers a flexible, on-site delivery training model that could remove key training barriers, such as cost, travel requirements, time away from work, and limited access to trainers and assessors in regional and remote areas.

This program is for workers interested in stepping into a training role within their organisation. It welcomes expressions of interest from women, First Nations workers, individuals transitioning towards retirement, and other experienced individuals passionate about sharing their knowledge.

Participants will be supported by their employer in fulfilling the responsibilities of this structured training role, thereby strengthening workforce capability and fostering a culture of learning and on-the-job skills development.

Who Should Apply?

This program is for:

  • Employers seeking to build in-house training capacity and streamline coordination with RTOs
  • Workers interested in upskilling to train others or coordinate training within their workplace

Note: Applications are encouraged after discussion and agreement between the employer and the employee.

About the Program

Participants will undertake the nationally recognised TAESS00028 Work Skill Instructor Skill Set, comprising:

  • TAEDEL311 – Provide Work Skill Instruction
  • TAEPDD401 – Work Effectively in the VET Sector
Delivery Format
  • Duration: 10 weeks
  • Frequency: 1 session per week

Includes:

  • 4 x 3-hour online training sessions (each recorded and accompanied by facilitator notes for participants unable to attend live) 
  • 4 x 1-hour online assessment support sessions, featuring industry guest speakers 
  • 2 x 1-hour online mentoring sessions (optional)

Participants will receive ongoing mentoring and support throughout the program, including help with digital tools, assessments, and applying learning on the job.

No prior training experience required. Applicants with strong industry knowledge or coordination skills are strongly encouraged to apply.

Why Participate?

For Employers:

  • Build a skilled in-house training capability
  • Reduce costs and delays in training delivery
  • Align training with business needs and workforce accessibility

For Workers:

  • Gain skills in workplace instruction and coordination
  • Receive credits toward a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment
  • Explore a new career pathway within the industry
  • Make a difference by supporting your team’s development

How to Apply

Expressions of interest are now closed.

To apply, complete the Expression of Interest Form or contact us at forestworks@forestworks.com.au by 12 September 2025.

Expression of Interest Form

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Project 18 is piloting a flexible pathway to increase women’s participation in workplace trainer and training coordinator roles within the forestry and wood products industry. The pilot applies the inclusive delivery model developed under Project 3 and training resources developed through Project 4. Delivery combines facilitated online sessions, industry-specific resources, mentoring, guest speakers and self-paced learning through Moodle.

Eight women from different states and industry businesses commenced the TAESS00028 Work Skill Instructor Skill Set in February 2026. By September 2026, four participants remained enrolled and were progressing through the two units, with regular trainer contact and extended access to assessments. Four participants had withdrawn, primarily because of work pressures, caring responsibilities and other personal commitments. No Statements of Attainment had been issued at that stage.

Participants reported strong engagement with the sessions and valued the practical skills gained, particularly those supporting workplace induction and staff training coordination. However, most viewed the program primarily as professional development rather than a formal qualification, which reduced motivation to complete assessment requirements.

The pilot showed that flexible online delivery can improve access and participation for geographically dispersed learners, while highlighting that flexibility alone may not ensure formal completion. Findings also show that future delivery should introduce assessment earlier, divide requirements into smaller stages, provide scheduled assessment-support sessions, and seek employer-supported time for participants to complete assessment activities. Increased individual trainer support should also be considered.

A dedicated women’s trainee intake for the TAESS00028 Work Skill Instructor Skill Set is scheduled to commence in February 2026.

Insights from this pilot, together with findings from Project 5 and Project 8, will guide the development of scalable models for workplace-based delivery, supervision, and cost-effective assessment.