THE CENTRAL QUEENSLAND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES REGIONAL ENGAGEMENT PROJECT
WHAT’S INSIDE
Project scope THE PROJECT Consultation The Central Queensland shortages over time and harness undertaken Workforce Development the potential of a range of Initiatives Regional Engagement industries in order to build and Key findings and Project (the project) is the first maintain a sustainable workforce step in the development of a in Central Queensland. This in recommendations proposed Central Queensland turn will help to create a more Workforce Development balance and sustainable regional Where to from here economy primed to meet future Strategy. More information challenges. The purpose of the project was The project was undertaken by to undertake comprehensive Regional Development Australia research into workforce Mackay Isaac Whitsunday and requirements in Central Regional Development Australia Queensland, focusing on local government areas within Central Fitzroy and Central West, with
Queensland’s Resources funding from the Queensland RDA Mackay Government. Catchment area, in order to Isaac Whitsunday provide a clear picture on current
and future workforce The purpose of this document is Nicole Duguid (CEO) requirements across the to provide a detailed overview of Level 1, Post Office government’s four pillars of the workforce development Square, 73 Sydney Agriculture, Construction, engagement project, its findings and recommendations, and the Street, Mackay QLD Resources and Tourism. 4740 next steps towards the PO Box 1877, Mackay In doing so, it sought to provide development of a Central QLD 4740 the foundation from which a Queensland Workforce (07) 4967 0822 workforce development strategy Development Strategy. www.rdamackaywhitsu could be developed, which would nday.org.au help to address identified skill
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PROJECT OBJECTIVES RDA Fitzroy Central The project has the following four key objectives: West
To ensure that regional stakeholders have a mechanism for input
into a Central Queensland Workforce Development Strategy Rees Banks (CEO) October 2012 25 Yeppoon Road, (CQWDS); Parkhurst QLD 4702 To catalogue current and proposed workforce development Po Box 307, initiatives in the region across all industry sectors; Rockhampton QLD 4740 To develop the regional story on future workforce requirements (07) 4923 6217 across all industry sectors by reviewing major projects, and current www.rdafcw.com.au and projected skills shortages; and
Ensure the regional story is reflected in the CQWDS.
PROJECT SCOPE
The area of study included the following local government areas and industry sectors across Central Queensland:
Local Government Area Sectors
Banana Shire Council Agriculture Barcaldine Regional Council Construction Central Highlands Regional Council Resources
Gladstone Regional Council Tourism
Isaac Regional Council Mackay Regional Council Rockhampton Regional Council Whitsunday Regional Council Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire Council
CONSULTATION
Project consultation was undertaken in the following 2. Stakeholder engagement involving face-to-face two stages: meetings, email correspondence and telephone consultation to validate research and further 1. Desktop research and analysis of workforce discuss workforce development issues and initiatives across Central Queensland including initiatives, included the following organisations: current and future proposed projects including: Regional Organisation of Councils in Mackay Queensland Government Major Projects; Isaac Whitsunday, Central Queensland and
Queensland Resources Council; Central West;
Construction Skills Queensland; Regional Economic Development
Regional development registers or equivalent Corporations in Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday, documents; Central Highlands, Rockhampton, Gladstone Previous research undertaken and relevant and Central West; outcomes; and Agricultural grower groups – e.g. Central Queensland Coal Projects. Canegrowers, Bowen District Growers Association; Training Queensland; Detailed appendixes including a complete list of North Queensland Bulk Ports; participant organisations, persons interviewed State and national industry skills bodies; and research outcomes are provided as part of Queensland Government; and the project’s final report. Industry clusters – e.g. Mackay Area Industry Network, Gladstone Engineering Alliance.
WHO WE ARE The role of Regional Development Australia Committees is to work across all three levels of government, local industry and their regional communities to enhance the growth and development of regions across Australia. This includes the identification and advocacy of agreed regional priorities; and working in collaboration with regional partners to strengthen each region’s long term sustainability for the benefit of future generations.
FINDING AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Finding Recommendations
Competition for skilled labour is evident throughout the Develop a detailed workforce development strategy entire Central Queensland region, which is set to that is resilient to fluctuations in demand across become further impacted by the commencement of industries by targeting skill sets required across major projects. multiple industry sectors within the region. Over time this will help to build and maintain a more sustainable
workforce in Central Queensland, which readily adapts
to change.
Concern regarding the actual impact workforce Develop an evaluation process to determine development initiatives have in Central Queensland – effectiveness, potential gaps and program many of which are state and federally funded. collaborations for more efficient use of resources.
Workforce development initiatives are currently Establish a regional Workforce Development implemented in isolation across the Central Coordinators Network between delivery organisations, Queensland region. focused on enhanced communication and
collaboration where possible. This will make better use
of resources, reduce duplication and enable agencies to work together for maximum impact and delivery across the region.
Disconnect between school level certificate training Assess school to industry training pathways and other and industry needs, which is affecting workforce employment initiatives to identify impediments to retention in the region in the 15-24 age bracket. achieving desired outcomes and improve program Workforce initiatives need to refocus and deliver offering so they better align with industry needs. outcomes to industries where there is most need.
Significant support for a dual sector university which Government support and movement on this would see a merger between Central Queensland opportunity to streamline the transition between University and Qld Institute of TAFE. vocational and tertiary study and career development.
REGIONAL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COORDINATORS FORUM
Mackay Isaac Whitsunday Regional Development Lack of transportation in parts of the region limits Australia held a forum on Monday 26 June 2012 to access to employment opportunities in other parts further explore workplace development issues in of the region: This is most evident between regional the Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday region. The forum communities where there is little to no public was attended by 24 people representing private, transport to larger regional centres, which community (not-for-profit) and government particularly affects workforce participation by workforce development organisations from across disadvantaged groups. the region. Lack of suitable accommodation options in some In addition to supporting the project’s findings and regional centres: Unaffordable housing and limited recommendations, the following statements were rental accommodation is a big issue for resource identified by participants as key issues to be communities, particularly in regional centres (e.g. addressed by the proposed Central Queensland Mackay). The provision of housing and essential Resource Catchment Regional Workforce services necessary to attract and support skilled Development Strategy. employees must be carefully considered.
There is disconnect between some certificate level Different service boundaries between workforce training in schools and industry needs: This has development organisations: This was identified as resulted in some higher level qualifications a barrier to collaborative action, which needs to be obtained at secondary school, particularly in the addressed if the potential benefits of a workforce construction and engineering sectors, not meeting development strategy are to be fully realised for industry recruitment requirements. maximum regional benefit.
WHERE TO FROM HERE establish mechanisms for its implementation and ongoing management via the Network; There is strong support from key regional Mapping of state and federal Workforce stakeholders for the development of a Central Development Initiatives, including roles, Queensland workforce development strategy, with responsibilities and outcomes. particular focus on mechanisms that will improve communication and collaboration between workforce The outcomes of the workforce development practitioners. project and the forum held in the Mackay-Isaac- Whitsunday region provide a good starting point for This requires a champion agency to lead the project information sharing and future collaboration. in partnership with key stakeholders as follows: Once the Workforce Development Network is Workforce Development Coordinators Network established and Central Queensland Workforce fund a part-time coordinator to establish the Development Strategy finalised, it is envisaged that Network; regional groups may be in a position to maintain develop a website to disseminate information; the network and strategy implementation with and limited additional funding past the initial twelve host further Workforce Development Coordinator months. However, this will be largely dependent on Forums. the future direction of the relevant state and federal government agencies and internal capability of Central Queensland Workforce Development workforce development organisations in the region. Strategy utilise the Network to develop a Central Queensland Workforce Development Strategy that will address identified issues and Disclaimer: Whilst all efforts have been made to ensure that the content of opportunities; this publication is free from error, Regional Development Australia Mackay Isaac Whitsunday (RDAMIW) does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information. RDAMIW does not accept any liability for any person, for any damage or loss whatsoever or howsoever caused in relation to that person taking action (or not taking action as the case may be) in respect of any statement, information or advice given in this publication.