A different kind of classroom: How education fuels forestry's future

After many years in the teaching field, Patrick (Paddy) Aislabie’s career branched out in an unexpected direction. A key connection was all it took for now Silviculture Crew Manager Paddy to shift into the dynamic world of forestry. 

During his time working casually for Ace of Spades Contracting in Papamoa, Paddy’s potential was soon recognised by Director Cain McKenzie, who saw the value in his teaching background.

 “I wasn’t sure if I was doing the right thing,” Paddy admits, reflecting on his shift from education to forestry, “the teaching lifestyle is very different.” Nonetheless, Paddy’s transition to crew manager was seamless, thanks to the support of Ace of Spades and his own adaptability. Cain identified Paddy’s teaching skills as highly transferable, leading to his appointment as an in-house training assessor with the help of Competenz. 

Competenz registered Paddy as a workplace assessor, which was crucial for his new role. “They offered me access to training and resources that equipped me with the skills I needed to guide students and workers in forestry,” he explains. Paddy found that his experience with diverse student needs translated effectively into supporting forestry learners through their training.

Ace of Spades Contracting is actively fostering the next generation through strategic partnerships with local schools.

Leveraging Paddy’s connections with secondary schools across the Waikato and Central NorthIsland regions, their pilot programme will offer students from Rotorua Boys’ High School hands-on experience in forestry, allowing them to earn level 2 and3 NCEA credits along the way. “We’re giving students a chance to experience the industry first-hand, " says Paddy. “It’s important to change the perception of forestry and show the students the opportunities the industry truly offers.” 

 Cain highlights the benefits of this initiative, noting “it’s more of a ‘try before you buy’ model. Kids that come out of school don’t know much about forestry because it isn’t part of the curriculum.”

 For secondary students who show interest in pursuing a career in the industry, Ace of Spades makes efforts to place them within the organisation once they’re ready. 

“This is a hardworking industry, but the money and pathways are great if you are committed to the job,” says Cain. “Once you get qualified, it opens opportunities for higher pay,” he adds.

Paddy says silviculture is diverse and no two day sare the same. He emphasises that the industry welcomes individuals at any stage in their career. “Even when it’s cold and wet and you need to get out the door at 5am, you come to a bunch of good guys and you get looked after.”

As the forestry sector has traditionally relied heavily on migrant workers in the past and now faces an aging workforce, Ace of Spades Contracting is focused on rejuvenating the field and maximising talent within the industry. “There are so many great opportunities, and we’vei ncorporated new technology to streamline a lot of our work,” Cain explains. He highlights the use of heart rate monitors, which help manage fatigue levels by identifying and improving the most strenuous parts of the crew’s work. 

 “We introduce the younger guys into field operations to allow the older guys to move onto machines or management positions so we can keep the experience and wealth of knowledge in the industry.” This approach ensures that seasoned professionals can continue to contribute and mentor new comers, sharing their expertise with those transitioning into the industry. “We know they’ve weathered the storms and it’simportant to pass on that knowledge,” says Cain.

Competenz also plays an important role in supporting new entrants into the forestry sector through diverse training programmes. Forestry Account Manager Hamish Gunn highlights their apprenticeship programmes providing on-the-job training and nationally-recognised qualifications, allowing newcomers to tailor their experience to their career aspirations. 

"Paddy's shift from teaching to forestry is a great example of how skills can seamlessly transfer across fields in the most unexpected ways. With employers like Ace of Spades Contracting and the support of Competenz training plans, forestry isn't just evolving — it's thriving. It’s an industry that’s open to people at any stage of their career, offering a fresh and rewarding path for anyone ready to take the leap,” said Hamish.