Business View Oceania | Volume 3, Issue 8

35 36 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 3, ISSUE 7 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 3, ISSUE 7 FOREST INDUSTRY CONTRACTORS ASSOC I AT ION Sustainability is another huge priority at the Forest Industry Contractors Association. FICA recognises the importance of encouraging an environmentally conscious approach to management and operations within the industry and has implemented various strategies to do so. Just some of these strategies include keeping members updated on regulatory changes, providing information and training surrounding carbon footprint reduction, and regularly promoting government campaigns for sustainable best practices. Looking to the future, Younger explains that the association plans to extend its visibility and influence across the country. “We are on a mission to become more visible whilst continually communicating with our sector. We already do a lot more travel, so we are very mobile, and are often out within the regions where the contractors are located.” Younger also notes that increased mechanisation, continued investment in sustainable innovation, and a growing focus on socially and environmentally conscious best practices all need to be seen within the forest industry in the next five years to continue moving forward. Younger summarizes, “The most important thing for us is to be the communication line from government and other forestry organisations to our membership, and to offer them a toolbox of support. The more contractors we can do that for, the better.” The Forest Industry Contractors Association will continue to be a resounding voice for its members in New Zealand, supporting contractors across the country to continue positive development within the forest industry. turnover and productivity. One of the ways the Forest Industry Contractors Association has combatted these issues is by organising financial assistance from the New Zealand government, through the Ministry of Social Development, in the form of subsidies distributed to forest industry contractors who meet best practice requirements. Recent challenges surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic have also been at the forefront of strategic planning with the Forest Industry Contractors Association. With many contractors being unable to rely as heavily on migrant workers from surrounding areas such as the Cook Islands, FICA has encouraged their members to look to their own backyard and hire New Zealand workers. Younger shares concerns regarding low interest in locals, but states that supporting local communities with employment in the forest industry remains a priority.