No images? Click here JUNE 2025 CAIRNS Regional Jobs CommitteeRJC's work with industry to identify workforce challenges and skills shortages and plan for our future workforce. From the Chair![]() Jodie Duignan-George As major contracts accelerate across Cairns, attention is turning to construction, skills, and labour—specifically, whether the local workforce can keep up with the region’s fast-paced growth. UDIA has invited the Cairns RJC to speak at the upcoming ‘Building the Workforce’ event in Cairns on June 17. Sarah Menniti from CSQ will represent the RJC, joined by Robert Sobyra from Build Skills Australia. Study Cairns asked me to join a panel discussion at their recent Diversity and Employ Global Symposium and share my insights into the benefits of employing international students, to fill skills shortages and build community. The event provided insights into the pool of talent that exists in this cohort and the benefit to our regional prosperity. We hope you enjoy our jam-packed June edition. If you have any news or something you would like to discuss, please get in touch. SnapshotOur region reflects a resilient labour market, despite a national trend of easing employment growth. Cairns experienced an employment increase of 300 people in April, with annual trend employment growth at 2.2%, slightly below the national and Queensland rates of 2.5%. Notably, full-time employment in Cairns grew by 400 in April and is up 6.3% over the year, indicating a shift towards more stable job opportunities. The participation rate has reached its highest level since December 2010, reflecting strong engagement in the labour force, although it contributes to a slight uptick in the unemployment rate to 4.7%. Trend JobSeeker numbers have remained stable at around 16,000, with only a 4.2% year-on-year increase, compared to higher increases at the state and national levels, underscoring the robustness of Cairns' labour market. Upcoming EventsAdvance Cairns, the Cairns Chamber of Commerce, and Tourism Tropical North Queensland invite you to join us for our 2025 Queensland State Budget Address Luncheon with the Hon David Janetzki MP. Hear first-hand from the Queensland Treasurer about what the 2025-26 State Budget means for our region, just days after its release. When: Tuesday 1 July 2025 SAVE THE DATE! Saturday, October 25 With the changes in global conditions, continued pressure on cost of living and housing, the annual release of the "State of the Region" dataset will help unpack the latest economic and employment data. Join RDA Tropical North, Cairns Regional Council and Greg Bowden, from .id (Informed Decisions) to understand how this effects the region and businesses and how to leverage the previous year’s economic story for future opportunities. This is an event for , business owners, and interested community members and leaders to get the latest economic and employment data to help guide future decisions. Receive an update on current focus areas and priorities from:
Unpacking SCHADS: Compliance Essentials Every Employer Should Know | Webinar 1 CheckUP and Effective HR are diving into the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Award. If you find yourself navigating its complexities, this session is designed to bring clarity and help you understand your key obligations as an employer. This session is all about giving employers, managers, and HR professionals the insights and practical tips you need to confidently manage your SCHADS Award obligations. Think of it as a friendly guide to getting it right! Date: Thursday 24 June 2025 Meeting of the Minds 2 The Meeting of Minds (M)M) initiative of the Cairns RJC in collaboration with the RSIP (Regional School to Industry Pathway) program. It was devised is to break down siloed thinking and build a collaborative ecosystem, focused on improving outcomes for the future workforce and community. By sharing information and ideas, the goal is to reduce duplication and work together for regional benefit. The May 28 meeting followed up on last year’s meeting to review progress. Some developments occurred naturally, while others were driven intentionally. Updates were shared by groups such as Cairns RJC, RSIP, Cairns High, Cairns Regional Council, tertiary and TAFE providers, Centacare, FNQ Vocational Academy, and the Defence Force (Marine). Attendees also shared wins, progress, and new developments they had experienced or observed. ![]() There’s strong momentum building around youth employment and training in the region. Training opportunities are growing, from Universities to TAFE to maritime programs, and school–industry connections are improving, especially with support from VET coordinators. The construction sector is leading the way by expanding youth pathways and promoting diversity. Transport upgrades, like the Yarrabah–Portsmith bus, are already making it easier for young people to access work and training. There's a great opportunity to reshape how we engage with youth and families—by promoting the value of local careers, creating more inclusive and flexible training for mature learners, and improving communication through tools like a shared jobs/events calendar. With more strategic coordination, streamlined expos, and stronger employer involvement in work experience, we’re well positioned to turn ideas into real, lasting outcomes. Roundtable with Tourism, Hospitality & Retail This roundtable brought together key stakeholders, government and education providers from the Tourism, Hospitality and Retail sectors, to address ongoing workforce challenges impacting the region. The purpose of the discussion was to collaboratively identify critical occupational shortages, explore current industry shifts, and develop practical, forward-looking solutions to attract, train, and retain a skilled and sustainable workforce. Insights were shared on barriers such as high staff turnover, the impact of COVID-19 on labour availability, challenges with skilled migration, and negative perceptions of career stability within the sector. The discussion also highlighted emerging opportunities, including seasonal workforce sharing, re-engaging mature-aged workers, and attracting young people through school-linked career pathways. We created some proposed solutions and actionable outcomes from the session with a focus on building a stronger, more resilient workforce to support the future growth of Cairns' visitor and service economy. ![]() Destination 2045 The Queensland Government's "Destination 2045" is an ambitious 20-year tourism strategy aiming to double the state's annual visitor expenditure to $84 billion and increase direct tourism employment to 190,000 jobs by 2045. The plan focuses on six key priorities: ➤ enhancing eco-tourism by responsibly showcasing natural assets; ➤ transforming Queensland into Australia's event capital by attracting world-class events; ➤ improving connectivity to make travel easier; ➤creating world-class attractions through investment and partnerships; ➤ cementing Queensland's reputation as the home of the holiday through world-class marketing; and ➤ empowering tourism businesses to modernise and thrive. This comprehensive approach seeks to position Queensland as a global leader in tourism, leveraging its environment, lifestyle, cultures, and regions to attract visitors and boost the economy. Ready for the future Career Ready is a new program launching in January 2026 for Queensland students in Years 7 to 12, aimed at better preparing them for future careers. It replaces the current VETiS program and offers a range of opportunities such as industry engagement, immersive career experiences, free or low-cost certificate training, and school-based apprenticeships. Career Ready aligns with in-demand skills and is shaped in consultation with industry to ensure students leave school informed, skilled, and confident about their futures. To explore how Career Ready supports students, schools, industry, and training providers—and to stay updated on available qualifications and providers—read the full details of the program. Future Workforce, Ready Today! Hiring and International Graduate![]() The Diversify and Employ Global: Symposium was hosted by Study Cairns on June 4 at the Cairns Convention Centre. International student employment during and post study could be the solution to economic prosperity to boost businesses. This sector added 90 million gross value to the Cairns Economy in 2023. There are currently 720 international students in the workforce in a variety of industries. Employers spoke about their emotional intelligence and global awareness, commitment and work ethic. They usually have the skills, it's just confidence, fear of the Australian workplace and functional English that needs wrap around support. Institutions spoke on the need for SME to embrace work experience, internships, casual and part time employees to bolster their workforce and fill skills shortages. Hiring an international graduate is just like hiring a local employee. Employers can use the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) system to check the work rights of both prospective and current staff. After completing an eligible qualification, international students may apply for a Temporary Graduate (TG) visa, which grants full-time work rights. The length of this visa depends on the level of qualification and the study location. Other relevant visa options include the Skills in Demand Visa (subclass 482), the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa (subclass 494), and the Employer Nominated Scheme (subclass 186). For more information contact Migration Queensland MQ - Home ![]() Q & A with Julia Deleyev![]() Coordinator Contracts, Procurement & Payables Cairns Regional Council Can you share a bit about your cultural background and heritage? I was born in Odessa, Ukraine, and my family speaks Russian, not Ukrainian. We emigrated to Australia as refugees when I was a baby. I grew up in Melbourne and obtained Australian citizenship when I was 4 years old. Growing up in Melbourne, I was surrounded by lots of family and friends and large Russian/Jewish communities. My childhood was full of weekly dinner gatherings of no less than 30 people, lots of loud, passionate, shouting conversations in different languages (probably due to vodka), lots of toasts (the first toast is to health, the second is usually to love or friendship) and always too much food! I grew up with Aussie friends, so it was mixed blend of both Russian and Australian influences. What’s a fun fact or something interesting about your culture that most people might not know? Being a port city on the Black Sea, Odessa has a deep maritime culture. Many locals grow up with a strong connection to the sea, and there’s even a saying: "In Odessa, even those who can't swim, still know how to sail." Our family holidays were always on the water, house boats or fishing etc. Also, we have many weird superstitions, and these are a big deal, for example, you never whistle indoors, or you will ‘whistle away your money’. Or if you give flowers to someone, you have to give an odd number, never an even number as this is only for funerals! What challenges have you faced as someone from a CALD background, and how did you overcome them? With a CALD background, one of the biggest challenges particularly when I was younger, was where I felt to be “in between” cultures. I didn’t learn to speak English until I was 5 years old. There were always some language barriers and moments when I couldn’t understand communication and humour styles. Russians tend to value directness and honesty in conversations and use humour that can be dark, ironic or sarcastic. We usually say what we mean without excessive politeness, which can sometimes come across as blunt. It’s not meant to be rude, just efficient as we prefer to get to the point! The cultural preference is for deep, meaningful conversations and ‘small talk’ is not common, it can be seen as unnecessary or superficial. What can others do to better understand and celebrate different cultures in the workplace? I think it’s important to foster inclusive work environments by educating employees about diverse cultures and backgrounds. Most cultures have strong links to religion as well. We need to encourage curiosity and promote open and honest conversations. Awareness and celebrations of cultural and religious holidays, respecting linguistic diversity and creating opportunities for team-building activities that highlight different traditions. I think it’s also essential to support diverse cultural leadership, challenge stereotypes and biases, and ensure equal career development opportunities for all employees, regardless of someone’s background. If you could share one message with your colleagues about cultural harmony, what would it be? People are just people – no matter where we come from, what language we speak or what traditions we follow, we all share the same fundamental desires for respect, connection and belonging. Cultural diversity and harmony isn’t about focusing on what separates us, but about recognising our shared humanity and appreciating the richness that different backgrounds bring to our collective experience. New Courses in TNQThrough roundtables, meetings, seminars, careers expos and collaborations, the Cairns RJC has been influential in bringing new courses to Cairns by listening to industry and delivering skills needed to future proof our local workforce. Thanks to JCU, CQU and Tafe Queensland, school leavers and mature age students can study, work and live in the region they call home and build a strong future in our little slice of paradise. ![]() ![]() Apprenticeships Info app Do you have an Apprentice? The Apprenticeships Info App flyer (2025) promotes a free mobile app designed specifically for apprentices and trainees. The app offers:
Out of Trade Register The Out of Trade Register provides assistance to apprentices who have a cancelled or suspended training contract, to re-engage with their trade. This free service is fully funded by the Department of Trade, Employment & Training and is available for all Queensland Employers and Apprentices. Once an apprentice is registered, they have access to: ★ Job search assistance While the initiative focuses on apprentices, employers benefit from the service by having the ability to search for out-of-trade-apprentices to fill shortages and employ an apprentice within their organisation. Register on the website or contact coordinator@tradeapprentices.com.au ![]() Jayde registered ...when her electrical apprenticeship was cancelled after only 6 months. The Trade Apprentices team provided Jayde with an initial resume and job search support, including contacting several employers on her behalf. Jayde also received assistance under the Bursary Grant assistance scheme to purchase some new tools that made her a more competitive and confident applicant. Jayde has now successfully recommenced her apprenticeship and is on her way to completing her qualification thanks to her own hard work and the support she received from Trade Apprentices. Ready, Diverse & Local Diverse Queensland Workforce (DQW). The program assists employers to connect with unemployed work ready migrants, refugees and international students aged 18 years and over. In the Far North Queensland region, the program is available in Cairns through Centacare FNQ Employment Hub by contacting on 4044 0130. Photo: courtesy of Centacare FNQ Grants, Tenders & SupportWould 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. |