News Release February 4, 2004
Enrolments Close Soon For Waiariki's National Diploma In Wood Manufacturing
The eagerly-awaited National Diploma in Wood Manufacturing will be launched next month by the Waiariki Institute of
Technology's School of Forestry & Wood Processing. It will initially be based at the institute's Mokoia Campus in Rotorua.
Intending participants have until the end of this month to enroll in this Level 5 course which is attracting a number of
highly motivated students. Over the next 18 months, they will become immersed in all aspects of wood manufacturing -
from gaining an understanding of the impact of wood characteristics on processes and product quality in wood-based
industries to optimising wood-based production and developing leadership plans.
The course is aimed at anyone interested in management positions in sawmills, wood manufacturing operations or wood
processing. It comprises six two-week block courses, or one block course per quarter. The minimum entry requirement is
the Level 4 National Certificate in Wood Processing or relevant work experience.
Waiariki Head of School Ben Mitai says the National Diploma in Wood Manufacturing will equip graduates with a range of
technical, production manufacturing and business skills to enable them to manage operations in the wood processing
sector.
"The course fee of $3900 represents tremendous value considering graduates will be able to effectively manage production
within a wood processing context," he says. "Graduates will also be qualified to assist companies maximise their return
on investment through resource optimisation."
Mitai says graduates will be able to undertake further study toward the Level 6 Diploma in Wood Manufacturing.
Waiariki's acting CEO, Gary Dender, says the National Diploma in Wood Manufacturing compliments the National Diploma in
Forestry (Business Management and Operations Management) which offers students line or technical management
possibilities.
"As the only provider of the (whole) Forestry qualification in New Zealand, we are delighted with how our graduates have
been received by industry," says Dender.
"These are nationally recognised qualifications which open up all sorts of career opportunities."
Enrolment enquiries for the National Diploma in Wood Manufacturing should be directed to Paula Skudder on 07-346-8600.
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