Appendix 1: Identifying training groups for Code implementation

Background

South Pacific countries that have implemented the Code used existing personnel who were expected to carry out activities immediately due to their experience with forest harvesting. After several years of Code implementation, South Pacific country representatives convened in Vanuatu in mid-1999 to exchange information. It became apparent that personnel assigned to Code implementation should first be trained (or retrained) to carry out the new harvesting techniques specified by the Code more effectively.

This meeting and other fora determined that it is inappropriate to subject the various groups in the forest harvesting sector to the same kind of training since each group has separate responsibilities and tasks that require particular skills. Therefore, it is necessary to identify these groups to assess their training needs and the appropriate training courses for them.

Personnel and their tasks in Code implementation

Based on logging operations observed in the region, and on feedback from experienced personnel, it is understood that tasks related to Code implementation are a continuum of related hierarchical activities. Starting from the top, national policy formulation is needed to provide clear direction for forestry programs. Under the policy umbrella, Code formulation is necessary to provide a guide for sustainable forest management. Considering the Code, corporate plans and subsequent operational plans are prepared to ensure efficient harvesting with minimal negative impacts on the forest ecosystem. Finally, the harvesting plans are implemented at the field level.

Representatives of various other groups carry out appointed tasks. National policy-makers in governments and industry or corporate planners in the private sector are responsible for developing high-level policies. Middle management officers develop management plans for corporations. Front-line supervisors directly oversee field activities, while fieldworkers execute harvesting operations. These groups and their corresponding tasks are shown in Table 1.

Table 1. Target groups and their corresponding tasks

Group	Tasks
Government policy-makers Industrial/corporate policy-makers	Formulate national forest policy and propose enabling legislation for national governments Develop policies for industry and corporations
Middle-management planners for forest management (government) Planners for forest harvesting operations (private sector)	Formulate sustainable management plans for government forests Develop detailed operational plans for sustainable forest harvesting
Front-line supervisors (private sector)	Directly oversee operational activities of field staff
Fieldworkers (private sector)	Carry out field activities for sustainable forest harvesting operations

Since these groups have different job descriptions, they have different training requirements; therefore it is necessary to assess the nature and scope of their work to determine their training needs. Likewise, stages of forest development and management vary in the Asia-Pacific region and Code-related tasks and training needs may differ among countries. For instance, if a country has a national forest policy firmly established and is positioned strategically to undertake Code implementation, it may not need to identify policy-makers as a group requiring training. On the other hand, a country that has yet to establish policies to create a policy climate conducive to formulation and adoption of the Code may have to include policy-makers for training.