From concrete jungle to forest trails

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 calling—being closer to family. However, her return wasn’t 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 dad’s 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,“Jess 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.”

Transitioning from Sydney’s concrete jungle to the New Zealand forests was a leap into the unknown, but Jess approached it with confidence. “I just gave it a go. I thought, what have I got to lose?”. Her family’s roots in trades made the shift feel almost instinctive. 

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: “Anytime I miss the Force, instead of yelling at Police, I just yell at the trees. They don’t argue back.” Jess’ light-hearted approach highlights how well she’s adapted to the job. 

Joining Mold Logging, Jess stepped into another male-dominated industry with an open mind and was pleasantly surprised by the welcoming environment she found. “The guys would check in on me regularly. I felt good; the crews were easy to talk to. They’ve been supportive of my personal life and very accommodating. It was surprising, being a male-dominated industry, to see that people really cared.” Jess acknowledges the industry's challenges but appreciates the inclusive culture she has found. “The experiencehas been really positive. I don’t feel like I need to behave a certain way around the guys—I still go out and get my nails done regularly and no one bats an eye.”

Jess’s 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). “The apprenticeship really opened my eyes to what’s out there,” Jess says. “It gave me an idea of all the roles, showed me what’s expected of my team and how I can support them by understanding the bigger picture.”

Jason notes, “Jess smashed the paperwork. Her attention to detail is remarkable, and it doesn’t hurt that she’s gentler on the gear.” 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 Jess’s apprenticeship, offering regular visits and pastoral care over the years. He is thrilled with Jess’s success, as she recently won the Emerging Talent of the Year Award 2024 at the Northland Forestry Awards on  Friday September 20. “Jess has shown great enthusiasm and work ethic. Operating a million dollar machine is like second nature to her,” he says.

Brent emphasises, “It doesn’t matter if you’re a woman. There are other ladies who have come through the system and are now foremen and team leaders in harvesting operations.”

Jess echoes this sentiment, highlighting the diverse pathways within the industry.“The opportunities are endless. It’s a thriving industry with room for people of all ages and backgrounds,” 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. “I’m older and have bills and car payments. Being able to work and earn has been so helpful,” 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. “I’m loving my time in the industry,” she says.

“I feel more confident, but I’m eager to keep learning. I hope my journey inspires others to explore forestry. There’s so much to gain from it.”

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