Business and industry leaders are being invited to attend a breakfast with Minister for Employment Di Farmer next month to share their experiences and drive actions to address the region’s range of workforce challenges.
The Fraser Coast Workforce Solutions Breakfast will take place on Wednesday, April 5 at The Boat Club in Urangan, and is being hosted by Jobs Fraser Coast, a Regional Jobs Committee proudly funded by the Queensland Government.
“I want to meet business owners and industry leaders and listen first hand both to the workforce challenges they’re facing, as well as the innovative solutions some of them are developing,” Minister Farmer said.
“Queensland is leading the nation in job creation, but we understand this can sometimes bring skills and labour shortages with it, particularly in regional areas such as the Fraser Coast.
“That’s why local solutions – including ‘growing our own’ skilled workforce – are a key part of the Palaszczuk Government’s Good people. Good jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022-2032, along with other strategies such as school-to-work transitions and cross- sector skilling initiatives.”
Fraser Coast Regional Jobs Committee Chair Michelle Hay said the breakfast aimed to bring together leaders from multiple sectors to ensure discussions addressed issues such as training and education pathways and skills development right through to growth industries and housing supply challenges.
The event will include an address and Q&A session with the Minister, as well as presentations by Jobs Fraser Coast and Allweld Manufacturing Director Josh Linwood, who has successfully grown his business while creating training and apprenticeship pathways for young local people.
“Skills and workforce shortages aren’t just a local problem – they’re nationwide issues – but it’s important we share our common challenges and develop solutions locally to address issues particular to our region,” Ms Hay said.
“Our Regional Jobs Committee has a track record in achieving outcomes for local employers and jobseekers through initiatives such as the Fraser Coast Careers & Industry Showcase and our ongoing Fraser Coast Jobs Commitment, which connects secondary students with employers in practical ways.
“We want this breakfast to be another meaningful event where we can bring diverse groups together, problem-solve collectively, build the outcomes into our action plans and deliver – with the aim of making our entire regional economy stronger.”
Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour, who will also be attending the breakfast, said it was important the voices of business, industry and community were being heard at both local and State Government levels.
“As our region continues to grow and benefit from major projects, such as the recent announcement of the Queensland Train Manufacturing Project in Torbanlea, it’s such an exciting time for the Fraser Coast,” Cr Seymour said.
“Despite that, we know our industry sectors are facing a range of complex and connected workforce challenges.
“Many of these issues aren’t an easy or quick fix, but it’s important we all work together right now to improve the employment landscape into the future. We want to be part of the solution.”
Tickets to the Fraser Coast Workforce Solutions Breakfast cost $20 and are available to buy online at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/fraser-coast-workforce-solutions- breakfast-tickets-548170331217.