Training in Forestry Industry, Critical Skills.
1) Tree Felling and Harvesting, Learners are Given in depth insight and practical knowledge in the following areas, Siviculture the growth of pine trees from seeds, the planting lines, layout of indigenous forests that are natural to the environment and those that are engineered for harvesting to meet the industry, They experience the different types of growth patterns of various species and how they are laid out for future harvesting. How trees age under different climate conditions, how growth can be increased thru pruning and maintenance of forests and how to gauge a trees age and internal growth pattern and composition.
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Chain sawing, learners are provided with theory and practical training in the art of tree felling and chain sawing abilities, Learners are then required to complete 500 hrs in the field either at forest camp or locally with parks board.
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2) Harvesting and Storage, There is various methods dependant on the environment and climate conditions for harvesting, first to establish the timber line, chain saw teams direction of movement, its gradients and retrieval areas for de-branching and the procurement for transportation loading purposes.
Storage areas for logs and toppings with branches are demarcated; the logs are then graded according to length and diameter, and collated into a pyramid stacking systems, tagged and color coded, that can be added or subtracted from at any time. The entire movement, selecting process and staking of logs is an art form that takes practical time to learn. |
3) On Site Milling, or normally referred to as “bush mills” is fast becoming the way of the future as they are cost efficient, light duty equipment , do not carry large overheads and are reliant on the mangers knowledge and experience of the industries requirements, wastage in drawn down to within 25% or a large fixed base mill.
Learners enjoy this experience like an outdoors camp, living and working with Mother Nature on your door step, sleeping in the open, or caravans, cooking around a fire or kitchenette. (Definitely outdoor life). |
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The learning curve here is to learn how to improvise and use collective knowledge and experience to motivate and perform at a continuous productive rate rotating your crews from harvesting, chain sawing, milling and converting, advantages are running costs and living expenses, more productive into cants less waste on transport space and costs. And a very good recovery rate +- 65%
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4) Log Loading, Sizing, Grading, logs can weigh up to 1,5 to 2,5 tons dependant on its length and diameter, there is generally no loading equipment available on site or at a harvesting timber line also access to these areas are restricted due to the nature of the land and its contours, Therefore again knowledge and experience plays the greater advantage using a team to be proficient in moving, rolling sorting and grading the logs before stacking.
It is not all just muscle, team work, levers, and fulcrums play a major roll and use of gwalas and ropes, slings, and blocks are the call of the day. |
When the trucks arrive, the size of body and length requirements are taken into consideration, to meet the tonnage allowed, then by means of team work and knowledge the logs are loaded, heaviest and larger in diameter to the bottom, smaller in diameter, lightest to the top.
Crane and or TLB, Forklift is a separate certification available and upon successful completion.
Crane and or TLB, Forklift is a separate certification available and upon successful completion.
5) Forest Stationary Mills, Better known as small log handling mills, the running costs is higher as logs have to be transported in; waste removed and is, normally away from the forest and tree lines towards the nearest Eskom power grid available. The size ratio to the productive ratio of these mills is determined by the articulation of its supplement machinery, ie: Weigh bridges, Bells or TLB’s, grabs hooks on forklifts or cranes and feeding equipment to the breakdown areas.
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If the flow of raw material is halted the entire process comes to a halt or the mill stands still till the next delivery day or week. Stock holding in not costs effective and has no return on investment. Only medium to large companies run stationary mills as the capital lay out is high.
Training Center’s Milling & converting
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a. Log Storage and Handling, learners have to work in twos or as a team to achieve this certification, ideal for reducing anger management tendencies and building respect with your peers. The knowledge of being able to work out lengths, diameters, volume and weight, then type of timber and grading spec is required. The offloading, moving and staking is an art form achieved by skill, prior knowledge, fast reflexes while maintaining perseverance. (This is dangerous work, but if the skill, discipline, and understanding are implemented correctly, safety remains first and foremost.)
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Log receiving by use of tonnages or log calculations in length and diameter to equal volumetric sizing is certified on this category and into basic administration on stock control and receiving.
b. Breakdown saws,
There are four classifications: 1st the portable, this is normally petrol driven with aluminium rails which is constructed over one log at a time of your choosing, and can be used in the tree line or forest. 2nd the mobile, these are petrol or diesel equipped mounted on a trailer format for easy movement to and from site and singular operated. Can handle up to 700 mm diameter and 6,5 long. 3rd stationary, these are available in petrol, diesel or elect 3 phase are very versatile and can handle up to 800 mm diameter logs on a productive basis. By adding on extensions, cutting, two logs at a time of different diameters and lengths. 4th the heavy duty, these are normally located at stationary mills for continuous breakdown of larger diameter logs varying in lengths with extreme weight movements or distortions in body. |
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c. Double logger, better known as small log breakdown to cants and thru-put on sideboards as a recovery line, fast efficient and economical to run but requires either a motivated team working together to meet one end goal or automated retrieval beds with feed in racks.
The training center preferred method is that of team work as it coincides with our rehabilitation system, where we want results in the areas of teamwork, discipline, honesty comradeship, and motivation, while maintaining a growth pattern of physical and mental well being. |
d. Resaw, Thickness, sizing, this is the best machine in the entire milling category if the operator is competent and its team motivated, This machine can resize a cant, square it up and thickness it to within the millimeter to any size. But its primary function is converting cants and side board pieces in to planks at high speed, with continuity of thickness and product it is derived on its team work. Minimum team of two can achieve five Cbm’s per day and a team of five can achieve +- 10 to 15 Cbm’s per day.
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The operator makes the difference, in that he can change sizing without stopping the machine by adjusting the determined height, he can speed up the feed belt or slow it down dependant on the size of loading cant. The band saw blade proficient cutting time is double, of any other machine due to its speed and open end clearances. This machine is a good test of speed proficiency and motivation as an all rounder in rehabilitation and assertiveness in pride and accomplishments..
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e. Rip saws width sizing, although an old machine principle it still has the accuracy required for any timber width, it requires great concentration and guidance with dexterity in movement on both the feed in and feed out systems.
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f. Off-cut saws, for lengthening of timber, this machine controls the final output to customer spec and grading and requires the operator to know the clients specifications and sizing in various denominations at one time, while using his eyes to grade, his machine to size, and upper torso to complete the, load lock cut and throw away in one single movement.
Got to be ambidextrous at all times. |
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g. Grading, selecting, packing and stacking, component quality by grading methods and sizing is combined with packing in various suitable sizes to maintain a good looking, quality product after packing and strapping. Added to this the additional knowledge of air drying and pin stacking is another art form depicted by skill and using natural environment ie: sun and wind, to achieve the final result.
When completed stores and stock control are implemented as additional certification is in this category and amalgamated into basic administration skills on receiving and dispatching. |
h. Loading Stock in Bundles, Quality, quantity, length specification and final finish, combined with receiving or dispatching skills, counting arithmetic and loading skills makes this certification very time consuming if not done properly the first time.
The immense dual team work and satisfaction from having loaded large gauntly bundles strapped together using hands only is quite an achievement. Working out the stacking ratios if done by forklift is again a team effort using bearers to perform the task. Forklift is a separate certification available and upon successful completion forklift license is issued. |
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7) Wood Work Workshop, Here learners that are creative can achieve anything, but we also include basic hand skills for all learners, under our life skills Quality management system.
It is important that any child be able to learn how to use and utilize hand tools even if it is just for repairs and maintenance as it gives him or her a self confident outlook and a logical way of looking at any problem presenting its self. |
7) Wooden Products, the finished products show a sense of pride and completion, to a skill well learned and mastered; this takes away anxiety and nervousness and installs self confidence. The final finishing of the product or item built will be long treasured and admired by all. The fact that finished products are sold for funding towards those children who cannot afford to attend our training center also brings to the party a deep self awareness of fulfillment in helping those around you or your community.
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9) Fire Fighting, all children big and small have a fascination with fire not always being aware of just how dangerous it is or can be, when not in a controlled environment, can you imagine a child picking up a branch out of the fire place where you are cooking, turning and running into the forest or your garage or sewing room. “Boom”, it will never be the same.
Yet this fascination stays with all of us, look what happens at a braai how everyone takes a turn at the braai or stands around it for hours on end. So we install fire fighting as a life orientation skill even if it is just for the understanding or awareness of what can happen and how to prevent it or combat it, when it occurs. Save lives |
10) Safety, safety in any environment is the first priority, as we are human and make mistakes, due to not listening, not following the prescribed method or over confident, clowning around look I can do it better or faster this way. In a joint effort between life skills and life orientation we Endeavour to impart into our learners safety and precaution in all events irrespective of knowledge or ability. We also include various first aid and health and hygiene courses integrated with support of fire dept and health and safety.
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