Statistics New Zealand data for February 2006 shows a forestry "employee count" of 331 for Marlborough. This included 160 in sawmilling and 165 in forestry and logging.

Even though Marlborough is experiencing the lowest unemployment figures for many years, it has a stable and skilled workforce with several hundred salaried, wage and contractor staff employed within the forest industry. There are several well established full time forestry and harvesting crews employing approx 160 people. Marlborough has two small and two medium size sawmills operating employing approx 160 personnel.

The harvesting crews are supported by several established transport companies supplying the local mills and delivering logs to the ports and roading/earthwork business's involved in establishing new forestry roads and skid sites.

The MFIA actively encourages all members to use only suppliers/contractors who have a current and active Health and Safety Management System which also includes a working alcohol and drug testing policy.

The forest industry has a nationwide "on-job" training scheme to encourage employees to join the industry as a career choice and to continue to improve their skills via a structured personal training path. Forest Industries Training are members of the Association and provide valuable "at work" and formal training support. (Refer to "Links" - Forest Industries Training.)