CAIRNS Regional Jobs Committee

RJC's develop solutions to local skills and workforce needs.

From the Chair

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Unlocking the Power of Diversity

Building stronger workforces in the Cairns Region

Understanding the Benefits of Diversity:

• Innovative solutions: Diverse perspectives empower businesses to tackle challenges creatively, fostering innovation and sharpening competitiveness.

• Community reflection: Aligning the workforce with the diverse demographics of the local population enhances customer service and fortifies community ties.

• Resilience and adaptability: With a diverse workforce comes a wealth of skills and experiences, rendering organizations more adaptable to market fluctuations and disruptions, thereby bolstering resilience and fortifying success in an ever-evolving economic terrain.

Creating a Culturally Safe Working Environment:

• Embrace inclusivity: Nurture a workplace ethos where every voice is valued and respected, irrespective of background or status, fostering open communication and collaborative spirit among team members.

• Address bias and discrimination: Instate policies and practices that root out discrimination in all its forms, providing training and resources to heighten awareness of cultural distinctions and promote mutual understanding and acceptance.

• Offer support and resources: Acknowledge and cater to the diverse needs of employees, offering language assistance, cultural sensitivity training, and access to community networks and services.

• Lead by example: Organizational leaders play a pivotal role in championing diversity and inclusion. By setting the precedent and actively advocating diversity initiatives, leaders foster an environment where inclusivity flourishes. Centacare Multicultural Services, alongside local partners like Queensland Program for Survivors of Torture & Trauma (QPASTT) and Human Rights Commission, offer training and guidance in the multicultural realm. 

In addition, several organizations specialize in providing gender diversity training, as well as diversity training focused on age and abilities, to support organizations in cultivating inclusive workplaces. One notable organization offering such services is the Cairns Regional Council, which often collaborates with local businesses and community groups to deliver diversity training workshops and seminars. Cairns-based consulting firms like Diversity Cairns and Inclusion Solutions specialize in providing tailored diversity training programs to meet the unique needs of businesses in the region. These organizations work closely with clients to develop and implement strategies that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. 

Finding Deen - a SMEC success 

Meet SMEC (Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Scheme,) State Manager QLD/NT Samiul Hossain and Syrian electrical engineer Mohieddin (Deen) Alasali – a recent recruit to the SMEC family – and learn how SMEC puts diversity and inclusion into practice every day. 

SMEC's track record recruiting global talent, including how they discovered Deen, is proof that having a commitment to diversity and inclusion – and making it visible externally – creates opportunities and is a major drawcard for attracting quality into your workforce.

Learn more:

Attracting and retaining engineers from migrant backgrounds - Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services (dcssds.qld.gov.au)

Diverse Queensland Workforce program | Department of Employment, Small Business and Training (desbt.qld.gov.au)

Q2023 Procurement Strategy

The Q2032 Procurement Strategy (Q2032) (PDF, 6.4MB) (the Strategy) will help Queensland businesses get ‘match fit’ to supply to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

There will be $180 billion of government procurement between now and 2032. That’s in addition to the contracts delivered by the Queensland Government and Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee to build the stage and put on the biggest spectacle this state has ever seen. The Buy Queensland approach will ensure the economic benefits of hosting the Games are maximised and shared among Queenslanders.

The Strategy aims to help businesses win contracts to supply to the Queensland Government, other suppliers and the world market before, during and after the Games.

Diverse & Inclusive 

From the moment Emerson Douglas entered Rainforestation Nature Park, the team at The CaPTA Group knew they had made the right decision.  With only a couple of weeks work experience behind him, an autism diagnosis and learning difficulties, Emerson had struggled to find employment, but had expressed a desire to work in hospitality. Carer, Wendie Van Den Brink, had reached out to CaPTA HR to see if her client could get some work experience with the company.

After attending a number of Cairns Chamber of Commerce sessions on the importance of diversifying workforces and building inclusive workplaces to fill skills shortages, CaPTA HR were inspired and agreed to see how Emerson went on a work experience day. 

“His kind nature and evident work ethic made him an instant success”, explained People & Culture Officer, Joel Wale. “Emerson got stuck into the work and was genuinely enjoying it. On his trial day, he boosted the morale of the staff because of his great work ethic, exceptional manners and the effort he made to complete his tasks”, said Joel.

CaPATA provided a chance at employment, a supportive team environment and opportunities for Emerson to succeed.  Since being employed, Emerson has completed his RSA, funded by My Pathway and completed his Food Safety Certificate. 

“Rather than setting him up to fail by putting him in positions that he would struggle with, we created a specific job description to play to Emerson’s strengths. Not everyone learns in the same way. Understanding this and re-evaluating the way we onboard and train all employees has enabled us to change our practices, attract the best people and retain them long term” explained People & Culture Manager, Cristy Pointing.  

“Initially, Emerson required a support person to be present while on shift and there were some concerns with this”, Joel mentioned. “We were worried it could take time from other staff members’ work time and there was a question on how he would deal with the tasks and understand what was required”, he said.

These concerns were quickly put to rest with Wendie explaining the best styles of communication and suggesting that set tasks that could be ticked off, along with regular check-ins with his supervisor, was the best approach. 

It wasn’t long until CaPTA provided Emerson with a Permanent Part Time Contract of 12 hours per week. Emerson is currently working Mondays and Thursdays at Rainforestation in the F&B department as a F&B Table Assistant.  

“Emerson is now a key member of the team and has the full backing of The CaPTA Group. He is an absolute ray of sunshine and proof that you can achieve anything with a good attitude and a desire to succeed”, said Joel.  Emerson is now at the point where his support person can now drop him off and then leave, to return at the end of his shift with no difficulties whatsoever.  “With his positive nature and genuine want-to-be-at-work attitude, staff are simply mesmerised by his commitment and joy, which positively impacts all the staff who work with him”, said Joel.

LEARN more about workplace diversity and inclusion:

Workplace inclusion and diversity | For government | Queensland GovernmentCreating an accessible and inclusive workplace | IncludeAbility

Customising a job for a person with disability | IncludeAbility

includeability_-_guide_-_attracting_people_with_disability_to_your_organisation.pdf

Creating culturally safe workplaces for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples | Business Queensland

Diverse Queensland Workforce program | Department of Employment, Small Business and Training (desbt.qld.gov.au)

Wet Trades Opportunity

Small Business is a BIG deal

The Queensland Government is proud to release the Queensland Small Business Strategy 2024-27.  The strategy has the voice of small businesses at its core, with almost 2,000 small businesses, industry representatives, peak bodies and key stakeholders providing input during an extensive consultation process. Based on this vital feedback, our three-year strategy will address four key areas:

• Lowering costs for small business
• Boosting opportunities for small business
• Building resilience, capability and workforce
• Growing diversity.

The new strategy helps to lower costs and ease cost of living pressures on small business, as well as boost productivity and maximise procurement and supply chain opportunities for small businesses available as part of Queensland’s infrastructure Big Build of housing, energy, hospitals, schools, and transport. 

Workforce Planning Connect 

A good workforce plan will give you a solid understanding of your current workforce and how to prepare your workforce for the future.  Effectively integrated with business strategy and planning, a workforce plan can benefit your business through:

• responding quickly and strategically to change
• linking your workforce initiatives to your finance and business planning
• improving efficiency, effectiveness and productivity
• reducing employee turnover
• attracting staff to key roles, reducing skills shortages and increasing job satisfaction

Workforce Planning Connect - Toolkit (jobsqueensland.qld.gov.au)

AWIC inspires over 3000 future leaders

AWIC (Awesome Women in Construction) recently completed a transformative two-week Central Queensland Coast Roadshow, inspiring over 3,000 students across 17 schools, and covering 2,500 kilometres.  With 18 industry site visits, participation in two expos, and one networking event, AWIC successfully engaged, empowered, educated, and provided employment pathways for the next generation of construction professionals by showcasing the opportunities in the construction and manufacturing sectors.  

AWIC CEO Amanda Bulow said the "young ladies who had the opportunity to use the welding simulation really loved it and they were very good at it, so hopefully some of them will take up a job in boiler making.  The Roadshow is designed to highlight the diverse roles and opportunities that exist in the Construction and manufacturing sectors and help them understand that they can have financial security and long-term careers in this sector.

Good People. Good Jobs 

Would you like to submit an article or good news story to feature in the next edition of the Cairns Regional Jobs Committee newsletter? We would love to hear from you.  Get in touch by emailing rjc@cairnschamber.com.au 

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