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DECEMBER 2024
CAIRNS Regional Jobs Committee
RJC's develop solutions to local skills and workforce needs.
Season's Greetings from the Chair
Jodie Duignan-George
As we approach the end of the year, it’s the perfect time to reflect on our achievements and look ahead to what’s next. This year, the Cairns RJC welcomed a new committee, bringing fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to our work. Together, we have collaborated with government, industry and stakeholders to deliver:
- The Maritime & Marine Careers Open Day
- A Meeting of the Minds
- Roundtable Discussion with Business, Finance & ICT
- Career Advisors Forum
- Parents & Pathways Session
- Roundtable Discussion with Allied Health
- Roundtable Discussion with Community/Social Services
- Cairns RJC Website Refresh
As we step into 2025, our focus for the first quarter will be on the 2025 Cairns #GOHealth Careers Expo, showcasing the diverse career opportunities within our region’s largest employing industry. Additionally, we’ll host a Roundtable Discussion with Tourism, Hospitality & Retail to further strengthen career pathways in these vital sectors and assisting with the delivery of a Construction and Trades Expo.
On behalf of the committee, I’d like to wish you and your loved ones a safe and joyful festive season. Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to an inspiring year ahead.
Labour Market Snapshot
Employment Snapshot:
- Unemployment rate 3.9%
- Participation rate 68.6%
- Total employment has decreased by approximately 200 people to 146,300.
- The employment rate for the working-age population stands at 76.7%.
- 9.2% are receiving job seeker with 63% of those identified as long term unemployed.
- Youth unemployment has increased to 8.4%
Skill Gaps and Job Market Trends:
- 87% of advertised roles require post-school qualifications.
- Online job advertisements by skill level - 28% require a Bachelor degree or higher, 28% required a Certificate II or III
- Nearly 3,000 jobs were advertised online last month. Of the top eight in-demand roles, only registered nursing requires a bachelor’s degree. The remaining high-demand roles require vocational education and training (VET) at Levels 3 and 4.
Top Employing Industries in Cairns
- Healthcare & Social Assistance (18.3%)
- Retail Trade
- Accommodation & Food Services
- Public Administration & Safety
- Education & Training
In demand:
- General Clerks
- Sales Assistants
- Metal fitters & Machinists
- Registered Nurses
Shifts in Workforce Composition:
- Construction now ranks 7th, employing 7% of the workforce
- Professional, Scientific & Technical Services is the 6th largest employer at 7.3%.
- Although Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing employs just 4.3% of the workforce, it plays a vital role in the region's GRP and supply chain contributions.
Cairns reflects a diverse yet skills-oriented workforce. This data highlights the importance of aligning skills training with the needs of the local job market to support growth and reduce unemployment. Cairns reflects a diverse yet skills-oriented workforce.
Source: Jobs & Skills Australia
Upcoming LIVE Events
The 2025 Cairns #GoHealth Careers Expo is a collaboration between the Cairns Regional Jobs Committee and CheckUp. The event is being held at the Cairns Convention Centre on Wednesday 26 March, 2025.
The expo aims connect students from years 9-12 with industry leaders and open doors to exciting jobs and careers in all healthcare, wellness health, allied health and social services. For more information about registration, exhibiting or sponsorship head to 2025 Cairns #GoHealth Careers Expo - Gateway to Industry Schools Project - Health
School group registrations are now open, along with curious parents and community members who are considering a career change. Be inspired to explore a career in our largest employing industry – health!
Recent Events
"I can honestly say it was the most informative evening I have attended regarding my children's progression from Year 10 to seniors. Our school has solely focused on ATAR which has caused my children so much anxiety. Knowing they have alternative pathways for year 11 & 12 has eased all of our concerns. I commend each and every one of the speakers for their fantastic presentation and for providing an alternative""
Parent & Attendee
We recently teamed up with Regional School to Industry Pathways (RSIP) to host a Parents & Pathways session.
The aim was to provide insights of the various career pathways available to students after year 10, from apprenticeships and traineeships to universities studies. We heard from key industry representative, the then, Department of Employment, Small Business & Training, Tafe, CQU, JCU, Apprentices Connect Australia Providers as well as current and past apprentices who have excelled in their chosen paths.
Recorded session will soon be available on our website for viewing.
Our final meeting for the year was held at Bentley Park College, which is a Gateway to Industry Health School. Principal Bruce Houghton provided a tour of the Medical Health Precinct which supports student's knowledge and understanding of the varied roles available in the health workforce, improves access to learning and provides authentic learning opportunities.
Student aspirations are supported by health industry partners to achieve post-schooling pathways. The college will be exhibiting at the Careers Expo in March and will feature the use of VR & AR in health education.
Roundtables were held with Business, Finance & ICT, Private Allied Health and Social & Community Services. Industry Workforce advisors and Skills advisors, along with their host organisations ACS and CheckUp worked with the Cairns RJC and the Cairns Chamber of Commerce to ensue robust discussion.
Industry roundtable discussions have been highly effective for the RJC to acquire information from employers and stakeholders around employment growth and emerging gaps, competencies in demand, views on the current and future direction of the sector, identifying opportunities and challenges, better understanding what funding or resource gaps exist hinder workforce development and how we can support businesses and their employees.
This information will be presented to government to inform training programs and affect future change in these sectors.
Choose CAIRNS
The Cairns region boasts a robust economy, home to over 14,000 businesses and supporting more than 80,000 jobs. While renowned for its vibrant tourism industry, Cairns offers a diverse job market with opportunities spanning professional, technical, and skilled trades. Did you know the Cairns Regional Council has website dedicated to living, working, playing in and relocating to Cairns?
Meet Maggie who is a medical student, training at the Cairns Hospital, along with many more stories about people who have chosen to move to Cairns, along with those who have stayed after school, continued their education and built a life in our beautiful region. Click on the image below to hear her story.
Mentoring
Mentors support growth and act as an advisor in sharing knowledge and experience. In a workplace, it can bring in fresh ideas or ways of doing, build networks, boost morale, reduce training costs, improve the talent pool of an organisation and enhance job satisfaction. Strong mentoring is vital to attracting and retaining a sustainable workforce.
Energy Skills Queensland (ESQ): The Inclusive Master Apprentice Program will provide intensive mentoring for 60 first and second year female apprentices and employers including employer maturity assessments, development of a customised online support platform and digital badging to encourage and support apprentices and employers throughout the program, monthly check ins and support and additional as needed contact, referral to specialist support services if needed, monthly progress reports and a program graduation. The program will be delivered predominately in SEQ and will conclude on 30 June 2026.
Motor Trades Association of Queensland (MTAQ): Through a partnership with Busy Sisters MTAQ will provide mentoring to 200 first and second year female automotive apprentices. In the first six month at least one face to face contact will occur and then regular contact will be maintained via phone, email and text. As part of the project, materials on workplace diversity will be provided to employers, including interactive and online resources. The WITMP project will be delivered throughout Queensland and will conclude on 30 June 2025. Antony Joslin, 0439 692 948 antonyj@mtai.edu.au
Master Builders Queensland (MBQ): Mentors 60 first- and second-year female construction apprentices, trains 150 employers, and offers webinars and resources. The program will offer e-mentoring or face to face mentoring depending on the location of apprentices and will be matched with mentors and guided through a structured mentoring program. A dedicated support line has also been established to provide additional support and there will be a private Facebook group for pear support, as well as the opportunity to attend face to face networking events. Employers will be supported through courses on managing diverse workforces, sexual harassment and workplace bullying. The WITMP project will be delivered throughout Queensland and will conclude on 30 June 2025.
Sharron Vella, 0417756758, sharon.vella@mbqld.com.au
Housing Industry Association (HIA): Supports 110-120 first- and second-year female construction apprentices and 40 employers with face-to-face and digital mentoring. The program will include a face-to-face contact at the start of the program to prepare an individual mentoring plan and then regular contact that is a blend of face to face, phone calls, text, social media and video conferencing. Employer mentoring will focus on changing mindsets and communication skills and will be supported by an employer toolkit that will be developed as part of the project. The WITMP project will be delivered throughout Queensland and will conclude on 31 October 2025.
Mark Pattemore, 0432 942 950, m.pattemore@hia.com.au
HIA Advanced Apprentice and Employer Mentoring Programme supports apprentices, jobseekers and employers in the construction industry. The program helps retain the apprentices and upskill employers in the management of training. Support includes education assistance, navigating employer and employee relationships and wellbeing support for the apprentice. Learn more about HIA"s Apprentice & Employer Mentoring Programme via Workforce connect Fund #QldWorkforceStrategy
TAFE Queensland: Indigenous Mentorship for TAFE Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Daniel GEIA m: 0409 738 529 e: Daniel.GEIA@tafeqld.edu.au
Manufacturing Skills Queensland (MSQ): Supports 100 first and second year female apprentices in manufacturing and related trades with an intensive mentoring program matching mentors with mentees and including a mental health induction, monthly interaction with mentors, bite sized online training customised to support the apprentices, employers and mentors.
Other key aspects to the project include: a women in the workplace readiness program which will provide specialist consultation services to employers to assist in supporting a diverse workforce; development of a customised toolkit resources to support employers and female apprentices, establishment of an Industry Influencer Program to ensure that careers for women in manufacturing continue to be a focus beyond the life of the WITMP project; and evaluation and research with a university partner to evaluate the effectiveness of the WITMP project and all of its elements in manufacturing and more broadly enhance the evidence base for effective supports for workers in manufacturing. The WITMP project will be delivered throughout Queensland and will conclude on 30 June 2026.
Sandra Scarcella, 0436832594, sandra.scarcella@rdmw.qld.gov.au
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!
Queensland's new one-stop shop for tendering and supply
The Queensland Government has launched a one-stop shop to simplify the tendering process for businesses, making it easier to access opportunities across government agencies and local councils.
This new procurement platform, VendorPanel, is the first of its kind in Australia and offers a single
portal for suppliers to discover and respond to business opportunities.
By creating a free profile on VendorPanel, your business will be visible to government buyers and receive real-time notifications for relevant tenders. The platform is open to businesses across sectors, including government agencies, councils, not-for-profits, and universities. There are no fees to quote, tender, or supply and if you're already registered on VendorPanel or Local Buy Arrangements, there's no need to create a new profile.
Support for Businesses Facing Workforce Challenges
Struggling with workforce issues? Industry Workforce Advisors are here to help small and medium-sized businesses across the state overcome challenges and implement effective workforce strategies.
These advisors work one-on-one with employers to address their unique needs, offering guidance on accessing grants, subsidies, and employer incentives. They can also connect small businesses to the Workforce Connect Fund – Human Resources Support Grants, designed to help fund innovative HR solutions.
Eligible businesses can receive up to $5,000 for HR support and advice to tackle immediate workforce needs (subject to funding availability).
Don’t miss this opportunity to strengthen your workforce. Connect with an Industry Workforce Advisor today!
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
The Queensland Government funds and supports 12 RJC's right across the state.
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