Project 4. Financial Support Model, Resources and Pilots to Upskill Workplace Trainers and RTO Staff

Home / ForestWorks / Forestry Workforce Training Program 2024-2027 / Project 4. Financial Support Model, Resources and Pilots to Upskill Workplace Trainers and RTO Staff

Project Description

This project delivers flexible training and financial support to help industry workers become skilled workplace-based trainers and assessors.

It enables on-site, real-time training and assessment, reducing downtime and aligning learning with live production schedules. This model also lowers RTO service costs, minimises travel for regional and remote sites, and ensures training is directly linked to workplace needs.

The project further supports qualified trainers and assessors from Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) in continuing their professional development.

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Timeline

January 2025 – June 2027

Lead Organisation

Led by ForestWorks and delivered by TAFE Gippsland, Timber Training Creswick and TAFE NSW.

Contact

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

Building On-Site Training and Assessment Capacity

The forest and wood products industry currently has limited capacity for workplace-based training and assessment. Building in-house capability by equipping staff to deliver and support on-site training and assessment, and by testing scalable models in conjunction with Projects 5 and 8, will strengthen employers’ training functions. This will enhance skills recognition, reduce downtime, facilitate compliant on-site assessments, and accelerate competency development to maintain a competent, job-ready workforce.

In October 2025, thirteen workers from the forestry and timber processing sectors began the TAESS00028 Work Skill Instructor Skill Set, marking the first intake of workplace-based trainer trainees under this project. Two further intakes are scheduled for February 2026, expanding on-site training capacity to support pilots and subsequent rollout.

Workplace-based trainers are experienced industry personnel who deliver and support nationally recognised vocational training within the workplace. They:

  • Work under the supervision of a qualified trainer/assessor, as the individual does not yet hold the complete TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.
  • Facilitate work-skill instruction and workplace learning aligned to the relevant units of competency, contextualised to site tasks, equipment and schedules.
  • Assist with evidence collection and may contribute expert input to assessment, but do not make assessment decisions unless they hold the TAEASS00019 Assessor Skill Set or the full TAE40122 qualification.

Common entry pathways include the TAESS00028 Work Skill Instructor Skill Set and/or TAESS00020 Workplace Trainer Skill Set, which provide credit toward TAE40122.

Why This Matters

Developing workplace-based trainers and assessors enables on-site, real-time training and assessment, reducing labour downtime and aligning learning with live production schedules. This approach lowers RTO service costs where appropriate, minimises travel and accommodation for regional and remote operations, and targets training to actual machinery, tasks and employer priorities—strengthening capability in thin training markets.

What Has Been Delivered

An industry-tailored training delivery model

TAFE Gippsland has established a flexible program, customised for the forestry and wood products sector, to train workplace-based trainers according to the TAESS00028 Work Skill Instructor Skill Set.

Training videos for TAESS00020

A series of 8 training videos, each with a duration of approximately 5-6 minutes, to enhance the learning experience for participants in the TAESS00020 Workplace Trainer Skill Set.

Intake of workplace-based trainer trainees

  • October 2025: 12 workers from across sectors commenced the TAESS00028 Work Skill Instructor Skill Set to become workplace-based trainers.
  • February 2026: Two additional intakes are scheduled to begin the same training, expanding capacity for the pilot and subsequent rollout.

Participants will support testing of the RPL and hybrid RPL-training models piloted under Project 5.

Workplace-based trainer/assessor competency matrix

A practical tool for RTOs to identify and maintain competency records and suitability of qualification(s) to be delivered and/or assessed by a workplace-based trainer and/or assessor. It is intended for use in conjunction with the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (Outcome Standards for RTOs) Instrument 2025 and the Credential Policy.

View Competency Matrix
Further Actions Underway
  • Complete the workplace-based trainer training program pilot.
  • Develop approaches for RTO trainers/assessors to upskill (e.g., Certificate IV in Training and Assessment upgrades, or targeted unit completion aligned to scope).

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, those transitioning towards retirement, and other experienced individuals who are passionate about sharing their knowledge.

Participants will be supported by their employer in undertaking the responsibilities of this structured training role, which strengthens workforce capability and fosters 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

Project 4 is strengthening industry training capacity by supporting experienced workers to become workplace-based trainers and upskilling trainers and assessors employed by registered training organisations.

Workplace-based trainers’ development

The pilot delivers the TAESS00028 Work Skill Instructor Skill Set through a flexible, blended model designed for regional participants, shift workers, and learners with varying levels of digital capability.

Four workplace-trainer intakes commenced.

The first intake began in October 2025 with 12 participants from New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria, and South Australia. Ten participants successfully completed the training and assessment.

The second intake commenced in February 2026 as a women-dedicated cohort, comprising 8 women. Of these, 6 participants have completed training and are currently working towards finalising assessment requirements.

The third and fourth intakes commenced in July 2026 with 5 participants from Queensland and 14 participants from Western Australia, respectively. Withdrawals and delayed assessments have primarily reflected workload, time and personal commitments, highlighting the importance of flexible scheduling and ongoing trainer support.

RTO capability development

RTO capability development is also progressing. Eight Timber Training Creswick trainers are enrolled in the Certificate IV in Competitive Systems and Practices, with completion expected by November 2026. This qualification will support the delivery of micro-credentials for Projects 2, 11, and 13. The trainers also participate in approximately five days of training on sawmilling scanning equipment and simulation or optimisation software, which has been acquired to enable teaching and learning in micro-credential pilot programs. Additionally, TTC trainers are undertaking further training in drone operations.

Industry consultation has identified further professional development priorities in online recognition of prior learning, remote assessment, online delivery and online program development. Planning has commenced for expert-led online programs to be hosted through the ForestEdu ecosystem.

To date, the project has expanded the pipeline of workplace trainers, strengthened RTO delivery capability and identified practical priorities for building a sustainable, digitally capable training workforce.

Pilot Activity Underway: Developing Workplace-Based Trainers

Training commenced in October 2025. Two further trainee intakes are planned for February 2026. Insights from this pilot, combined with those from Projects 5 and 8, will inform scalable models for workplace delivery, supervision, and cost-effective assessment.

Access project resources via the links below or the ForestEdu Library.

Workplace-based trainer learning video series (TAESS00020)

Workplace-based trainer/assessor competency matrix template

forest du logo

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.