Careers focus for national forest educators
From the Winter 2008 edition of Bush Telegraph Magazine.
Representatives of the National Forestry Education Committee are now focused on vocational information for teachers and students. Photo courtesy Gerard Nolan
The National Forestry Education Committee continues to expand its role in the field of education and career awareness following another successful annual conference in Adelaide, South Australia, during March.
The original network was established in 1994 and included representatives or educators from the forestry agencies of most Australian states. Today a small but active committee works to support the teaching of forest and forestry related topics in schools.
NSW DPI schools education coordinator, Carmen Perry, attended the conference and said the focus was exploring opportunities for incorporating vocational information into the members’ existing forest education activities.
“We also discussed opportunities for greater collaboration and resource development,” Carmen said.
It has been more than six months since the group launched its website www.australianforests.org.au, with the group in agreement of the need to provide accurate and relevant information in the digital age.
“Our next focus will be growing the careers pages of this website and working with industry to complement and further develop career path opportunities and linkages,” Carmen said.
“We hope this will help address the information needs of young career seekers and at the same time help address the skills shortage in many areas of the forest industry.”
Gerard Nolan - Education officer, Sydney
