CAIRNS Regional Jobs Committee

RJC's work with industry to identify workforce challenges and skills shortages and plan for our future workforce.

Season's Greetings from the Chair

Upcoming LIVE Events

The health industry is not just about doctors and nurses!  There are hundreds of diverse career options available across the health sector.  Did you know you can be an electrician, a records manager, work in pathology or music therapy, become an orderly or neurosurgeon, human resources manager, support worker, counsellor, podiatrist or ophthalmologist?

If you are a business in the health sector and would like to exhibit at the inaugural 2025 Cairns #GOHealth Careers Expo - hurry!  We only have 2 stands left in what promises to be a regional significant event. 

A collaboration between the Cairns Regional Jobs Committee and CheckUp, this significant event is proudly supported by Queensland Health.  

The expo will attract students from across the region in years 9-12, connect them with industry leaders and open doors to exciting jobs and careers in all healthcare, wellness health, allied health and social services.  For those seeking a career change, come along and find your passion in health.  We will even have a jobs board onsite with current vacancies.  Who knows, you may find your passion in Health!

For more information about registering your attendance or exhibiy head to 2025 Cairns #GoHealth Careers Expo - Gateway to Industry Schools Project - Health or contact Janelle at rjc@cairnschamber.com.au 

Thank you to our sponsors:

Employing young people

December saw us lean into a webinar presented by the MTA Institute of Technology on ""How to retain Young People in Your Workplace.  Like many other industries, the automotive industry has major skills shortages.  Attracting and retaining the next generation of young workers is vital for the ongoing future prosperity of the industry.

As young people’s perception of a modern workplace continues to change, being at the forefront of that change can assist automotive businesses grow and thrive.  Kelvin Millar, Industry Workforce Advisor from MTA Queensland, and panellists Rod Camm, Chelsea Lawson and Kosta Kantilaftis.  These were our take aways 

Key Points on Employing Young People in the Automotive Industry

Understanding and Engaging Young Workers

1. Perception Shift: Young workers are not lazy; generational differences mean they have unique focuses and approaches. Conversations around stereotypes are unhelpful.
2. Support and Understanding: Acknowledge and address the needs and goals of young workers to build stronger relationships.

Workplace Adaptation

1. Changing Work Practices:

   • Traditional methods may no longer be relevant or legal.
   • Modern automotive systems are more complex, requiring continuous training beyond apprenticeships.

2. Phone Usage:

   • Phones are essential tools (e.g., apps for mechanics), not just distractions.
   • Establish trust-based policies to balance appropriate use with productivity.
   • Provide digital tools to minimize reliance on personal devices.

Communication Strategies

1. Effective Communication:
   • Use structured methods like stand-up discussions and toolbox talks to set daily priorities and relieve pressure.
   • Emphasize quality communication to build rapport and clarity.

Workplace Culture

1. Positive Environment:

   • Foster an open culture where mistakes are seen as learning opportunities to avoid a toxic work environment.
   • Create a welcoming atmosphere for underrepresented groups, including women and young workers.

2. Professional Development:

   • Teach soft skills like customer interaction, communication, and presentation.
   • Monthly workshops can reinforce company values, beliefs, and workplace standards.

3. Employee Empowerment:

   • Recognize achievements through awards and accolades.
   • Provide opportunities for skill-building and continuous learning.
   • Align personal and company goals to motivate and engage workers.

Retention and Growth

1. Goal-Setting:

   • Understand individual motivations and align them with company objectives.
   • Use financial and non-financial incentives to drive desired behaviours.

2. Career Progression:

   • Support ongoing education and training to keep pace with technological advancements.
   • Build a culture of lifelong learning to ensure transferable skills.

Leadership and Role Modelling

1. Lead by Example: Owners and managers should embody the company culture and demonstrate desired behaviours.
2. Case Studies: Share real examples of successes and challenges to teach problem-solving and celebrate achievements.

By adopting these strategies, businesses can attract, support, and retain young workers, ensuring industry growth and sustainability.

SCHOOL based apprenticeships 

Sitting in a classroom all day isn't for everyone. Some people learn better hands on and don't want to wait until they finish school to get started in their chosen career.  It's a smart choice, providing practical skills to build a lifelong career.  The opportunity to earn while you learn, combining on-the-job training with practical experience and instruction from TAFE Queensland.  

If you need to fill skills shortages and are interested in nurturing our own workforce, a school-based trainee could be just what you're looking for as an SME.

What is a school-based traineeship?

A school-based traineeship / traineeship allows a young person to start working in their chosen industry and begin training towards a recognised vocational education and training (VET) qualification while they complete their high school studies. School-based apprenticeships and traineeships are offered in a wide variety of industries.

Website REFRESHED

School Tech Success

Kody expressed an interest in Engineering and Automotive Vocational Preparation. During Year 11, he completed a Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation, attended regular school subjects, and participated in one day of work experience each week. Work experience provided Kody with the opportunity to apply his automotive training in a real-world setting, which helped build his confidence in the field.

SchoolTech - Cairns | TAFE Queensland

In Year 12, Kody continued his studies at SchoolTech, undertaking two days of work experience each week, working toward a Certificate II in Engineering Pathways, and attending his school subjects. The school arranged Kody's timetable to ensure his work experience did not conflict with class time. This setup allowed him to gain practical experience while still completing his core subjects: Essential Maths, Essential English, Sports and Recreation, Social and Community Studies, and Certificate I in Workplace Skills.

Kody graduated from SchoolTech in 2023 and successfully secured a job as an Avionics Technician with the Australian Air Force. 

Emerging ROLES

Emerging roles are roles that have appeared in Australian job market data for the first time in recent years or are growing quickly from a small base.  They are roles that are becoming more prominent in their evolving fields of work or industries. The roles represent a new field of work or a distinct specialisation within an existing occupation and have been identified using job titles, skill requirements and other job attributes from online job advertisements.  Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) has conducted research to identify 37 emerging roles in the Australian labour market across four main areas: 

Health, Care & Medical e.g.: health tech, medical tech 

Data & Technologies e.g.: cybersecurity

Net Xero e.g.: sustainability, clean energy

Science & Engineering e.g.: biological and chemical science, engineering

Artificial Intelligence e.g.: AI Engineer

The Health, Care and Medical theme contains 13 roles, the largest number of emerging roles.  Insights from the Emerging Roles report include:

• According to the 2021 Census, there are 1.7 million people working in the Health Care and Social Assistance industry in Australia. 
• Employment has grown by 26% over the past five years.
• Over the next 5 years the projected growth is 16%. 
• Most workers have tertiary qualifications: 
  • 45% (university qualification) 
  • 35% (VET qualification).  
• There are a growing number of new qualifications and skill sets in health areas leading to new roles being identified.
• The number of online job ads for Music Therapists more than doubled in the years 2020-2022, as too did NDIS Support Coordinators.

Clean Energy Careers

Check out the new STEM Futures: Clean Energy and Careers education program for students in Years 7 – 12.

Designed for secondary school teachers, the program is a suite of lessons bringing together Science, Technology, Design and Maths to explore renewable energy and profile the exciting clean energy careers that await students!

The program has been developed by Cool.Org with support from the Clean Energy Council, for the Queensland Government as a key action of Queensland's Clean Energy Workforce Roadmap.  Units of work covered include understanding wind power, hydropower, efficiency and ethics in renewable energy and sustainability and electrochemistry in battery storage.

Access the program on STEM Futures: Clean Energy and Careers | Cool.org

Grants, Tenders & Support

Funding Opportunity: Manufacturing Hubs Grant Program – Round 4

Attention manufacturing SMEs in the Cairns SA4 region! The Manufacturing Hubs Grant Program is now open, offering grants ranging from $10,000 to $500,000.

This program is designed to help manufacturers boost productivity, develop advanced manufacturing capabilities, and support the creation of future-focused jobs.

Applications close on 30 June 2025, or earlier if funding is fully allocated. Don’t miss this chance to drive innovation and growth in your business!

Would you like to submit an article or good news story to feature in the next edition? Get in touch by emailing rjc@cairnschamber.com.au 

Subscribe now to receive more RJC newsletters.