Forestry Pathways & Work Experience Programmes in Waikato & Bay of Plenty

At Silvipath, we help students take their first steps into the forestry industry through immersive, hands-on work experience programmes. Designed for secondary school pathways, our tailored training packages give young people practical skills, recognised qualifications, and a real sense of the forestry opportunities available to them after school.

We believe that forestry careers should be accessible, engaging, and rewarding. That’s why we work directly with schools, gateway coordinators, careers teams and other local organisations to create experiences that open doors to forestry jobs and long-term pathway opportunities.

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We work closely with gateway experience coordinators to make sure our training aligns with school requirements and student aspirations. This collaboration ensures that our programmes are not only educational but also a stepping stone to job pathways within the forestry sector.

For the right trainees who excel during the programme, there are genuine employment opportunities in forestry available beyond the training week.


Experience That Leads to Real Jobs

A person in orange safety gear and orange boots standing in a forested area with fallen pine branches around and standing pine trees in the background.

How the Forestry Work Experience Programme Works

One Week of Hands-On Industry Learning

  • Forestry planting

  • Forestry pruning skills

  • Introduction to thin-to-waste operations

  • Forestry health and safety practices

  • Chainsaw skills

  • Vegetation fire simulated training

  • Quality control and data collection in forestry operations

  • Introduction to forestry machinary

Schools can book a full week block for up to four students. During this time, trainees work alongside experienced forestry crews, rotating through various silviculture operations to gain a broad understanding of the industry.

Activities may include:

Two young men standing in front of a large yellow fire truck inside a garage, with wooden walls and a high ceiling.

This variety helps students explore different areas before deciding which forestry pathways they might want to pursue.

A person wearing safety gear and an orange vest is cutting a tree with a chainsaw in a forested area.
Person in orange safety vest and yellow boots digging a hole with a shovel in a grassy outdoor area.

Industry-Recognised Forestry Certificates

Throughout the programme, students have the opportunity to complete unit standards that contribute towards NZQA-recognised certificates. These credentials are highly valued by forestry employers and help position trainees for success in the job market.

  • Basic forestry skills certification

  • Safety and compliance training

  • Silviculture task certificates

Examples of certificates available through our work experience include:

Benefits of Our Forestry Work Experience Programmes

  • Hands-on training with real forestry crews

  • Alignment with secondary school pathways and gateway programmes

  • Pathway opportunities into further training or forestry jobs

  • Certificates and credentials that employers value

  • Direct industry connections across Waikato and Bay of Plenty

Book a Forestry Pathway Experience for Your School

If your school wants to give students meaningful forestry training and employment opportunities, Silvipath’s work experience programme is the perfect starting point. With small group sizes, personalised learning, and strong industry connections, we prepare students for a smooth transition into forestry careers.

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