Two-time Apprentice turns Competenz Forestry Account Manager

At 17, Nick Moore left school for his first job at a local bakery. He completed his Craft Baking Apprenticeship (Level 4) there through Competenz, honing his skills in a fast-paced environment. Nick spent over a decade at the bakery, enjoying the camaraderie and the craft but also dreaming of a change.

One day, while working with a friend doing firewood, Nick encountered an unexpected opportunity in forestry. It was time to trade the early morning starts for a job outdoors, surrounded by nature. Despite having no experience in the bush, he embraced the challenge and dove headfirst into his new role.

Over the next ten years, Nick progressed from a novice to a key player in the forestry sector. He started with basic tasks like holding the tape measure and butt marking logs, gradually moving on to breaking out and manual tree felling. As he gained experience, Nick took on more responsibilities, eventually helping to run the skids and organise trucking operations. His role expanded further when he became the health and safety officer, which deepened his understanding of workplace safety and regulations. During this time, Nick also completed a second apprenticeship in Harvesting (Level 4) through Competenz, further solidifying his expertise in the field.

An accident at work set Nick back, leaving him unable to work for six months. However, he was presented with a new opportunity during his recovery: becoming a forestry account manager. This role resonated deeply with Nick, allowing him to mentor young people entering the industry and share his passion for the bush.

Today, Nick is dedicated to helping the next generation of Southland and Lower Otago forestry workers find their paths, just as he did. He looks forward to continuing his journey in this rewarding field, inspiring others to appreciate the beauty and importance of the natural environment.

We recently asked Nick five questions about his life and work.

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You have overcome your career challenges, including injury. What is your career advice to people when the chips are down?

Take it one day and one step at a time. No one knows what the future will bring tomorrow or next week. All you can do is work with what’s in front of you today.

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What are the biggest challenges facing employers in forestry at the moment?

There are constant changes in the export prices for logs, with big ups and even bigger downs. Running a business is hard, and unfortunately, some contractors have to make some tough choices regarding whether they carry on or not. Even when the price is right for logs, diesel and other costs continue to increase.

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What part of your job do you enjoy the most?

Getting out on site and catching up with the crews. Some of the views are breathtaking. Being outside and not stuck in the office is awesome, and just watching a good crew on their machines working seamlessly together is always impressive.

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What forestry training have you seen recently that’s impressed you?

Mike Hurring Logging is running block courses for apprentices, and this is an outstanding opportunity for apprentices to come together and learn from each other. They can listen to how every crew is different and do things differently. They also get to see how the whole process works, from trucking and dispatch to the local mills, what it means if they send in logs out-of-spec and the flow-on effect. They also go to the port to see their process and shop floors and factories where machinery and safety gear are made. The business is busy behind the scenes, sourcing funding and organising things to make it as easy as possible for learners to attend these courses.

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What is a fact about yourself that surprises people?

Not only can I cut down trees with my chainsaw and make firewood, I can also bake fresh scones and savouries to enjoy in front of the fire. All to a Level 4 standard!

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