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JUNE 2024
CAIRNS Regional Jobs Committee
Developing solutions to local skills and workforce needs.
From the Chair
Jodie Duignan-George
The Cairns RJC is now in full operational with the committee membership now appointed and approved and meetings have commenced. The current focus for the committee is on key industries including Maritime, Health & Social Services, Construction, Aviation and Energy (engineering focus).
The committee will also collaborate with other Jobs and Skills stakeholders (including Local Jobs and Skills Program and the Regional School Industry Program) to explore local initiatives to easing the skills, workforce recruitment and the retention challenges currently facing local business/industry.
The committee have already identified a number of partnership initiatives that are currently being explored out with further detailed information to be released in the coming months. The committee are always looking to explore new ideas and we welcome input from local business and industry. If you have any ideas in relation to potential solutions to our local challenges, please email rjc@cairnschamber.com.au
NEW Cairns RJC Committee 2024-2026
Clockwise from left: Bruce Houghton (Bentley Park College and Regional Skills to Industry Pathway Program), Anita Veivers (Centacare), Alana McKenna (Aviation), Sarah Menniti (Construction Skills Queensland), Wayne Reynolds (Pullman Reef Hotel), Leigh Harris (Ingenous Hub), Nick Massasso (Cairns Regional Council), Andrew Wagner (Tropical Reef Shipyard), Leanne Bell (Tafe), James Archer (Clean Co) and Cheryl Winstanley (Cairns Hinterland Health).
Upcoming LIVE Events
Find out more about the budget before the lunch: Budget.gov.au | Budget 2024–25
This FREE course helps Queensland business owners, managers, People and Culture/Human Resources specialists, and business administration professionals who support small to medium enterprises develop an agile, flexible workforce plan to adapt to changes in the business environment. Employing principles of workforce planning and by examining the operational, tactical and strategic focus, the plan will complement and integrate into an organisation’s overall business planning.
Gain certification and credit!
Participating in this course is a great way to experience what it is like to study at university and open up a pathway into a higher-level qualification. Upon completion of all modules and submission of assessment items, you will be eligible to receive a Certificate of Completion and a credit for one elective course in UniSC's Graduate Certificate in Business Administration
Thursday, 11 July 2024 II 7.00am for 7.30am-9.30am II Crystalbrook Riley
Cairns Economic Forecast
Hear from Pete Faulkner, Partner of Conus Business Consultancy Services, as he provides an in-depth analysis of the Cairns economy and unpacks the current economic environment, its economic indicators and outlook for the future.
What: Cairns Chamber of Commerce July Business Luncheon
When: Tuesday 23 July 2024
Time: 11.30am - 2.00pm
Where: Hilton Cairns, Ballroom
Maritime Jobs & Careers Expo
Last week's Cairns Maritime Jobs and Careers Expo was a huge success, attracting almost 1300 attendees. Now in its second year, the Cairns RJC was proud to again sponsor and support this event.
The event, opened by Minister Micheal Healy and facilitated by MC, Andrew Hayes from NORSTA Maritime, attracted job seekers, those considering a career change, transitioning defence personnel, families seeking inspiration for the next career opportunity, high school and university students, and others, including career advisors from as far south as Brisbane who travelled to gather information on the unique opportunities available within the Cairns maritime community for their out of region networks.
Attendees were able to explore various locations throughout the precinct, including Austal, Norship, Tropical Reef Shipyard and the Great Barrier Reef International Marine College. Attendees were able to get an up-close look at the 39 metre Roebuck Bay Australian Border Force vessel, a Svitzer tugboat, the TAFE Queensland “Diversity” vessel and enjoy the Mandingalbay Authentic Indigenous Tours around Admiralty Island and into Trinity Inlet. The 'Pathways to a Maritime career' panel discussions, a live jobs board thanks to Workforce Australia and on water experiences were a hit with attendees.
David Good, CEO of AIMEX commented; “The Cairns Maritime Jobs & Careers Expo has become the largest of these events ... in Australia, proving how important the maritime industry is to Far North Queensland. With the Cairns Marine Precinct and Common User Facility project underway, Cairns will become a major marine skills base. Events such as these that attract talent to maritime careers will be vital to ensure these new facilities have skilled workers to operate them.”
Cairns Region Workforce Development Plan
Aviation industry, and Maritime and Marine Industry
Cairns Regional Jobs Committee (RJC) an initiative of the QLD Government, facilitated by the Cairns Chamber of Commerce, are delighted to see the Cairns Region Workforce Development Plan for Aviation, Marine and Maritime Industry launched on Saturday. These key industries are forecast to grow by 20.9% and 7.8% respectively between 2025-2026. The Plan outlines 37 strategies to address skills and workforce needs in our region.
Along with industry, we advocated and gained commitment during a regional sitting of parliament, here in Cairns, to fund this critically important workforce plan for these industries, which have and will continue to significantly drive our regional economy.
Learn more about Grow Your Own Regional Workforce Program Grow your own regional workforce - Jobs Queensland
NEW Queensland SKILLS STRATEGY
The Queensland Government has launched a five-year plan for the state's training system – the Good Jobs, Great Training: Queensland Skills Strategy 2024 – 2028.
As Queensland’s strong economy drives opportunities across industries and regions, our workforce must be skilled and ready to respond. The new Skills Strategy sharpens the focus on the role of TAFE, developing priority skills and providing access to good jobs for Queenslanders now and into the future.
The release of this strategy follows the most significant review of the state's training system in almost a decade and the RJC, along with the Cairns Chamber of Commerce were a valued part of the consultation process.
Industry SKILLS Advisors
Industry skills advisors engage with employers, small business and industry stakeholders to provide high quality, evidence-based industry advice and intelligence about current and emerging industry direction, regional skills needs and training solutions, jobs growth and employment opportunities. This advice will:
- inform and align training and skills priorities and decision-making, including program design and investment settings
- support and connect with industry engagement framework priorities including the work of departmental regional officers, Regional Jobs Committees, Jobs Queensland and the Ministerial Skills Roundtable
- inform and contribute to national vocational education and training (VET) reform agendas and the review and development of training package product
- support employer, small business and industry's connection and engagement with VET and VET pathways and our programs, initiatives, and events.
ISA's have been contracted to provide coverage for the following sectors: Agriculture & horticulture, Automotive, Business and ICT, Electrotechnology & Utilities, Fitness, sport and Recreation, Health, Manufacturing and Engineering, Resources & Mining, Tourism, Hospitality and events, Water.
NEW Occupations
NEW OCCUPATIONS ADDED TO THE AUSTRALIAN APPRENTICESHIP PRIORITY LIST
Apprenticeships play a critical role in supporting Australians to access secure, well-paid jobs. They create a pipeline of skills and talent in the Australian workforce, helping businesses to meet their current and future skills needs and realise the opportunities of a recovering economy.
Apprentices and trainees that undertake training in designated priority occupations are eligible for extra financial support, as are their employers. The 19 new occupations being added to the 2024 Apprenticeships Priority List are:
• Ambulance Officer • Animal Husbandry Technician • Aquaculture or Fisheries Technician • Architectural Draftsperson • Boat Builder and Repairer • Earth Science Technician • Fire Protection Plumber • Flight Attendant • Furniture Maker • Graphic Pre-press Trades Worker • Irrigation Designer • Irrigation Technician • Light Technician • Mine Deputy • Nursing Support Worker • Out of School Hours Care Worker • Pharmacy Technician • Shipwright • Sound Technician
The Australian Apprenticeships Priority List will be used by the Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System (AAIS), to provide additional financial support to apprentices, trainees and their employers in order to boost apprentice numbers and support completions in priority occupations. An eligible full-time apprentice may receive up to $10,000 over the duration of their apprenticeship to help with cost-of-living pressures, while an employer may receive support of up to $15,000 over the duration of the apprenticeship. Click below to find out more.
'Try-a-trade' with CSQ
Project Manager of the RJC, Janelle Yarwood was invited to join the Hutchies ''Try-a-Trade'' morning at Trinity Bay High School, thanks to Construction Skills Queensland. It was great to see so many students engaged in learning a new skill. They immersed themselves in tiling, carpentry and faux wood painting. Students took a site tour and gained a better understanding of the roles on a job site and learnt about the career pathways. This is such a valuable industry led initiative. Skilling Queenslanders for the future and growing our own workforce, right here in Cairns.
Grant & Tender Information
Industry Growth Program (ongoing applications)
Eligible businesses will be connected with an Industry Growth Program Adviser. The Adviser will provide specialised advice to support your commercialisation and growth opportunities and priorities.
Once you have received this advice, you may choose to apply for:
- grants of $50,000 to $250,000 to support early-stage commercialisation projects
- grants of $100,000 to $5 million for commercialisation and growth projects.
Grants & Tenders
- Grants | Business Queensland
- Welcome to QLD QTenders (epw.qld.gov.au)
- https://www.grants.gov.au/
- Current Grant Opportunity List: GrantConnect (grants.gov.au)
- https://www.tenders.gov.au/
- https://www.ourcommunity.com.au/
Employment Incentives & Eligibility grants
- https://business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/research-and-development-tax-incentive
- https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-jobs-tourism-science-and-innovation/grants-assistance-and-programs-register-wa-industry
Specific, relevant departments
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
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