The proof is on the paper B Y C AT H I E B E L L | P H O T O G R A P H Y T I M C U F F
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elson Forests Ltd contractor Rai Silviculture values its workers. Owner and director David Koubek encourages all staff to continue to learn and supports them to gain qualifications. Silviculture is hard, physically demanding work. Workers are out on the hillsides of the Top of the South, working in all conditions, planting trees, thinning, pruning and spraying, making the pine forests the best they can be for harvest. But while they are working hard, the crewmen working for Nelson Forests Ltd contractors Rai Silviculture are also learning. Last month, five Rai Silviculture workers were awarded level 3 certificates in different aspects of silviculture in a special ceremony in Renwick.
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“… these are the guys setting the standard for forestry. They’re going to be the leaders.” DAV I D KO U B E K , R A I S I LV I C U LT U R E
Rai Silviculture owner and director David Koubek is originally from the Czech Republic. He has made a home and a business here, and he is passionate about the forestry industry and its benefits for people. As part of that, he actively encourages his staff to continue learning and to study for qualifications to demonstrate their skills. And the awards ceremony gives him an opportunity to demonstrate that, with
support from Nelson Forests Ltd and training provider Competenz.
Setting the standard
David says each of his workers has achieved something really special and that was worth celebrating. “That’s what forestry is,” says David, “and these are the guys setting the standard for forestry. They’re going to be the leaders.” Nelson Forests managing director Lees Seymour says forestry is a great industry. “It trains people, and it provides opportunities for people to earn an income and to learn new things.” He congratulated the five workers on their achievements, saying they should be proud of their hard work. “It’s not easy work, this is a great achievement.” Speaking at an event to celebrate the five workers, Lees said that he himself started in silviculture at 15 years old. “My father encouraged me to get skills, to get the certificates I needed to do the job. He wanted me to do it well and to do it safely – like you guys today. This achievement is fantastic.” Competenz’s Tom Snodgrass says he enjoys watching an employer like David developing his staff.