The National Certificate in Solid Wood Manufacturing (Level 3) with strands in Engineered Wood Product Operations, Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) and Plywood Operations, Planer Operations, Pole and Post Operations, Saw Centre Operations, Timber Drying Operations, Timber Grading Operations, Timber Treatment Operations, Veneer Preparation, Wood Product Operations, and Wood Process Operations [Ref: 1306] recognises the skills and knowledge required of operators in the solid wood manufacturing industries. The core sections of this qualification ensure that operators understand organisational structures and business terminology, have knowledge of process and environmental interrelationships and process control techniques, can enhance workplace safety and performance, and can participate in the investigation of production issues.

The core sections of this qualification are common to the National Certificate in Wood Handling and Distribution (Level 3) with strands in Log Yard and Wood Preparation, and Timber Yarding and Despatch [Ref: 1308]; and the National Certificate in Wood Fibre Manufacturing (Level 3) with strands in Composite Panel Preparation, Composite Panel Forming and Pressing, Composite Panel Finishing, Mechanical Pulping Operations, Pulp and Paper Dry End Operations, Pulp and Paper Wet End Operations, and Overlay Bonding Operations [Ref: 1309]. These sections recognise the core competencies in safety, efficiency, and productivity improvement required for all employees in wood manufacturing and wood handling operations. Holders of this qualification will be working alongside holders of the qualifications listed above and will need these common core competencies.

This qualification's strands recognise the competencies required to work in a range of operational roles in solid wood manufacturing including:
. finger jointing and lamination operations
. laminated veneer lumber and plywood preparation
. planer mill operations
. pole and post yard operations
. sawmill operations including sawing
. timber drying support operations
. timber grading operations in sawmills, dry mills, or remanufacturing
. timber treatment support operations
. veneer preparation
. utility roles in sawmilling and remanufacturing operations.

This qualification follows on from the National Certificate in Wood Manufacturing Foundation Skills (Level 2) with strands in Pulp and Paper Manufacturing, Solid Wood Manufacturing, Sliced Veneer Operations, Technical Awareness, Wood Handling and Distribution, Wood Panel Manufacturing, and Wood Product Manufacturing [Ref: 1305], and may lead on to the National Certificate in Solid Wood Manufacturing (Advanced) with strands in Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) and Plywood Manufacturing, Sawmilling, Timber Drying, Timber Grading, and Timber Treatment [Ref: 1307], the National Certificate in Timber Machining (Level 4) [Ref: 0813], or the National Certificate in Finger Jointing (Level 4) [Ref: 1311].