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BUSINESS NEWS - Players in the Garden Route's timber industry and value chain are invited to a stakeholder workshop that will examine improving the region's timber economy - and the lives and careers of the people who work in it - through skills development and training.
Hosted by Knysna Municipality and Knysna Timber Initiative with support from provincial tourism body Wesgro, the workshop will take place on 5 October at Knysna Hollow Country Estate.
After a total rebuild in the wake of last year's devastating fires, Knysna Hollow will reopen just in time for the event.
The workshop is the first item on the programme of this year's Knysna Timber Festival on 5 to 7 October. Dr Florus Prinsloo of the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism will speak on "Skills development as enabler to the regional timber industry growth and development".
The high calibre of speakers and presenters - all of whom have vast experience in their field - reflects that the organisers rank skills and skills development among the region's most immediate and pressing needs.
Members of the industry attending the workshop will have ample opportunity to provide their invaluable input.
Paul Hoffman, project manager of the South Cape Economic Development Partnership, a member of the timber economy work group, and managing member of H2P Project Management, will discuss emerging opportunities in the timber economy.
Leigh Hayes, Western Cape regional manager of the Fibre Processing and Manufacturing Sector Education and Training Authority (FP&M Seta), will talk on the plan and programme towards developing and implementing occupational qualifications.
During a session entitled "Mapping industry skills demand and supply", Prinsloo and Hoffman will seek industry input on mapping the demand for scarce and critical skills in the industry value chain (planting, harvesting, milling, construction, design, manufacturing, export, retail, etc.); Seta representatives will provide an overview of accredited skills providers and initiatives in the region; and Prinsloo will discuss the identification of gaps and project opportunities in the timber economy.
The morning will wrap up with an update on the Knysna Timber Initiative by its chairperson and technical director of Fechters Furniture, Morné Smith.
Timber Festival
Besides the workshop that is open only to industry players, this year's Knysna Timber Festival, at Timber Village in Welbedacht Lane, will also feature speakers who will appeal to the general public with topics such as "Birds, bees and butterflies - how to attract pollinators to your garden" and "Echoes of silent voices: a walk down memory lane with the elders of Knysna's townships".
Full programme
The full programme can be found on www.timberfestival.co.za. Members of the timber value chain who wish to attend the workshop from 09:00 to 14:00 on 5 October should please reserve their places by mailing Petrus van Niekerk of the Knysna Municipality at pvanniekerk@knysna.gov.za.
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