Sawmilling courses to improve Production and Efficiency
In its efforts to improve timber production and efficiency in the forestry sector, the Ministry of Forestry, Training Division has re-introduced two courses that saw a total of 13 participants walking away with their certificates of Basic Sawmilling and Basic Saw Doctoring last week.
Forester Sawmill and course facilitator, Mr Eroni Suvia who also happens to be the only qualified saw doctor in the country said the participants were from private sector sawmilling companies.
“After 20 years we are now re-introducing these courses in our Training Division. I am one of those who had undergone similar courses during my time as the Forestry Training Centre and as a facilitator I must say that there is a big gap in the forestry sector in terms of proper know-how in the field of sawmilling and saw doctoring,” Mr Suvia said.
“Proper knowledge of how to convert logs into sawn timber for production needs to be greatly improved and I am happy the Ministry of Forestry has taken steps with the introduction of these two basic courses.”
Mr Suvia added during the first week saw participants learn Basic Sawmilling Course which involves operational process in a sawmill and last week was the Basic Saw Doctoring Course which involves learning about maintenance of saw blades and machine alignment.
“There are plans to offer these courses and more in blocks so that participants can learn a whole lot more and attain a full certificate.”
Ministry of Forestry’s Executive Director Research and Development Mr Semi Dranibaka who was chief guest during the certificate presentation ceremony on Friday said the courses would greatly improve or better the timber products that we are producing in order to compete and meet the demands for high quality timber in the global markets.
“With your certificates I am sure you will be adding more value to whatever product you are producing in your different companies,” Mr Dranibaka said.