Project Description
This project transitions training resources for forestry and wood products qualifications to fit modern online delivery.
Working in partnership with industry and Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), it will develop accessible, high-quality digital learning materials that support flexible, blended pathways and consistent standards across the industry.
The outcome will be flexible resources that improve learner access, strengthen training quality, and enable providers to deliver nationwide or across multiple forestry regions.
Timeline
January 2025 – June 2026
Lead Organisation
Led and delivered by ForestWorks, with support from specialist partners.
Contact
Anthony Walsh
Workforce Development & Projects Manager
awalsh@forestworks.com.au
Modernising Training Delivery through Online Resources
Training resources for forestry and wood products qualifications are being modernised to work seamlessly in blended online delivery. The result will be resources that will improve learner access, strengthen training quality, and support broader delivery by training providers across forestry regions.
What We Heard from Training Providers
Lead training providers reported both opportunities and challenges for online delivery. Key points:
Adopted Approach
Projects 19 and 20 are closely coordinated to support:
Materials are being developed with lead Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) and industry stakeholders to ensure they are fit for purpose.
Final resources will be published in the ForestEdu Library for sector-wide access, version control and continuous improvement.
Sub-Project: New Online Course for Introduction to Timber Systems Design
An interactive online course is in development to introduce learners to Timber Systems Design and address shortages in the frame and truss manufacturing workforce. It is designed for school leavers, career changers and current workers seeking to reskill or upskill—without geographic barriers.
Led by: the Frame and Truss Manufacturers Association (FTMA)
Instructional design by: Purple Infinity
Contributors include: Designers and L&D professionals from nail plate companies, trainers from Timber Training Creswick and NTHA Training, and industry stakeholders who are validating content and promoting uptake.
Course design priorities
- Real-world scenarios, interactive modules, high-quality short video footage and images representative of the modern design work environment, and assessments to enhance engagement.
- Broad accessibility, catering to school leavers, career changers, and the existing workforce – without geographical limitations.
- Inclusive learning design, featuring an immersive reader, user-friendly interfaces and flexible assessment modes.
Credentials and pathways
The course will offer two nationally accredited micro-credentials:
- FWPSS00077 Introduction to Timber Systems Design – Workplace Practices
- FWPSS00078 Introduction to Timber Systems Design – Technical Application
Successful learners will receive credit towards the FWP31220 Certificate III in Timber Systems Design.
Final resources will be published in the ForestEdu Library for sector-wide access, version control and continuous improvement.
Digital Learning Materials
Taking industry training online
Project 20 developed and adapted accessible, high-quality digital learning and assessment materials for priority units of competency from forestry and wood products qualifications.
The project created a digital resource system that enables materials to be integrated into Learning Management Systems and published through the ForestEdu Library. This supports more flexible online and blended learning while retaining the workplace practice and assessment needed to verify practical competence.
The project responded to the need for:
- more flexible access to training for geographically dispersed learners and workplaces
- a consistent digital resource structure for training providers
- contemporary resources suitable for online and blended delivery
- digital learning that complements, rather than replaces, workplace practice.
Projects 19 and 20: one development model
Project 19 (Developing Training Materials for Industry Micro-Credentials and Traineeships) and Project 20 (Integrating Training Materials into Online Learning Systems) were delivered in a coordinated manner to create a single, integrated resource system that supports both face-to-face, blended, and online training delivery.
By developing learner resources, assessment tools, presentations, and digital learning assets as an integrated training package, the two projects created a consistent and flexible resource system. This approach simplifies adoption, customisation, sharing, and maintenance for training providers, supports efficient resource management, and improves access to resources through the ForestEdu Library.
A consistent digital resource package
Project 20 established a consistent seven-asset package for each unit of competency.
Depending on the unit and delivery need, the package could include:
- an assessment kit with benchmark answers
- an interactive e-learning package
- a learner guide
- a mapping document
- online Moodle development
- a PowerPoint presentation
- a web-enabled learner guide or flipbook.
This structure supports quality assurance, consistent publication and reuse across different online learning systems.
Outcomes
Projects 19 and 20 established a substantial, quality-assured resource base to support training delivery across the forestry, paper and wood products industries.
By June 2026, the projects had produced digital resource packages for over 100 units of competency, including more than 700 learning and assessment assets such as Moodle-compatible assessment kits, learner guides, and mapping documentation. A total of 247 resources had been released through the ForestEdu Library, while a substantial number of additional materials were undergoing quality assurance and approval before publication. Given the scale of development, resource releases were expected to continue beyond June 2026.
The projects also delivered nine learning videos to support new workplace trainers and instructors. These resources are available through the ForestEdu Library and complement the broader suite of learning and assessment materials developed under the projects. Additional videos are planned to further support the ongoing professional development of trainers and assessors across the industry.
Together, these outputs have strengthened the availability of consistent, industry-relevant training resources and enhanced access to high-quality learning and assessment materials across the sector.
More flexible access to learning
Learners can access theory, digital resources and formative learning more flexibly, including through interactive, self-paced and mobile-compatible formats where appropriate.
This can help reduce geographical barriers and provide more accessible training pathways for school leavers, career changers and members of the existing workforce.
Consistent resources for RTOs
Registered Training Organisations have a structured seven-asset model for Learning Management System and blended delivery. The coordinated package helps align learner content, assessment resources, presentations, mapping documentation and digital learning. It also provides a consistent foundation that training providers can use and adapt for their delivery environments.
Digital content linked to practical competence
The project maintained a clear connection between flexible digital access and practical workplace capability.
Learners can complete appropriate theory and formative activities online, then apply their skills in real operating environments. Where practical competence must be demonstrated, summative assessment remains connected to workplace activity and job requirements.
An integrated delivery and publication model
Digital resources were designed for integration with Learning Management Systems and publication through the ForestEdu Library. This creates a pathway from priority identification and resource development through to quality assurance, online delivery, publication and reuse. It also helps prevent digital learning materials from becoming isolated files held across disconnected systems.
Building durable digital training infrastructure
Project 20 delivered more than a collection of online resources. It established an industry learning and assessment resource base, a digital delivery infrastructure, and a publication pathway through ForestEdu.
The next stage is to sustain the system, expand its reach and keep digital content aligned with industry demand. Ongoing priorities include:
- Maintaining clear governance and ownership to ensure quality, compliance, and accountability
- Planning, creating, reviewing, updating and retiring content to keep resources accurate and relevant
- Keeping resources accessible and easy to find
- Supporting reliable platform performance through technical maintenance, proactive monitoring and timely updates
- Connecting with other industry systems and workflows to extend reach and reduce duplicate effort
- Using feedback and data to guide continuous improvement
- Keeping materials aligned with emerging industry and workforce needs.
The long-term value of the digital training infrastructure will grow as online access, workplace practice, quality assurance and active stewardship continue to operate as one coordinated system.
Project-delivered resources are accessible through the ForestEdu Library.
ForestEdu is a central platform for accessing industry-specific training resources, strengthening professional networks, and addressing workforce capability needs across the forest, wood, and paper sectors. The platform was developed for learners, employers, and training providers as part of the Forestry Workforce Training Program, which is funded by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
