September 24, 2024
When Jess Winikerei moved to Sydney in her teenage years, her path seemed destined for the urban hustle. With a background working for New South Wales Police, and experience in both medicine and psychology, Jess was no stranger to navigating demanding environments. The onset of COVID-19 brought her back to Kaitaia with a new callingâbeing closer to family. However, her return wasnât with out its hurdles; finding a job in the Far North that valued her diverse background was challenging.
Conversations with in her community opened up a unique opportunity. Jess learned that her dadâs best friend Frank Vujcich was retiring from a skidder operator position at Mold Logging, a role ripe for someone with a fresh perspective. Workplace Assessor Jason King remembers,âJess was brought into Mold Logging and taken under the wing of the last skidder operator. He passed on a wealth of knowledge that set her up for success.â
Transitioning from Sydneyâs concrete jungle to the New Zealand forests was a leap into the unknown, but Jess approached it with confidence. âI just gave it a go. I thought, what have I got to lose?â. Her familyâs roots in trades made the shift feel almost instinctive.Â
Although Jess had thrived in law enforcement, the stress of front line duties weighed heavily on her. Now, she finds peace in a new rhythm: âAnytime I miss the Force, instead of yelling at Police, I just yell at the trees. They donât argue back.â Jessâ light-hearted approach highlights how well sheâs adapted to the job.Â
Joining Mold Logging, Jess stepped into another male-dominated industry with an open mind and was pleasantly surprised by the welcoming environment she found. âThe guys would check in on me regularly. I felt good; the crews were easy to talk to. Theyâve been supportive of my personal life and very accommodating. It was surprising, being a male-dominated industry, to see that people really cared.â Jess acknowledges the industry's challenges but appreciates the inclusive culture she has found. âThe experiencehas been really positive. I donât feel like I need to behave a certain way around the guysâI still go out and get my nails done regularly and no one bats an eye.â
Jessâs journey in the forestry sector began with the aim to become a skidder driver. With no prior experience in forestry, she set her sights on acquiring a skidder ticket. Guided by Competenz Forestry Account Manager Brent Heaslip and Workplace Assessor Jason King to explore the industry, Jess opted instead for a more in-depth qualification: the New Zealand Certificate in Forest Harvesting (Level 4). âThe apprenticeship really opened my eyes to whatâs out there,â Jess says. âIt gave me an idea of all the roles, showed me whatâs expected of my team and how I can support them by understanding the bigger picture.â
Jason notes, âJess smashed the paperwork. Her attention to detail is remarkable, and it doesnât hurt that sheâs gentler on the gear.â Jess now thrives in the highest-producing crew in Summit Forests NZ, 12 of which half the crew are women.
Brent Heaslip has been a supporter through out Jessâs apprenticeship, offering regular visits and pastoral care over the years. He is thrilled with Jessâs success, as she recently won the Emerging Talent of the Year Award 2024 at the Northland Forestry Awards on  Friday September 20. âJess has shown great enthusiasm and work ethic. Operating a million dollar machine is like second nature to her,â he says.
Brent emphasises, âIt doesnât matter if youâre a woman. There are other ladies who have come through the system and are now foremen and team leaders in harvesting operations.â
Jess echoes this sentiment, highlighting the diverse pathways within the industry.âThe opportunities are endless. Itâs a thriving industry with room for people of all ages and backgrounds,â she says.
Grateful for the earn and learn opportunity offered by industry training organisation Competenz, Jess values the financial stability an apprenticeship provides while pursuing her career. âIâm older and have bills and car payments. Being able to work and earn has been so helpful,â she notes. As she builds her new home, Jess appreciatesthe significant impact this model has had on her life.
Looking ahead, Jess is excited to continue growing her knowledge and skills. âIâm loving my time in the industry,â she says.
âI feel more confident, but Iâm eager to keep learning. I hope my journey inspires others to explore forestry. Thereâs so much to gain from it.â
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