Good People. Good Jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022-2032

Increasing workforce participation

As an Industry we know there is an under-utilised workforce we need to tap into. This is reflected in the Strategy with a focus on workforce diversity and increasing opportunities for disadvantaged cohorts and people who are under-represented.

Workforce participation is a priority for people who face barriers to employment or who are working but would like to do more hours.

The Strategy focuses on the need for employers to think differently in how we attract, recruit and retain:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• Women
• People with disability
• People from a migrant and refugee background
• Youth, and
• Older workers.

This gives Industry an opportunity to think about job re-design and what can change in the way we do work to be more flexible, inclusive and retain our most valuable asset, our workforce.

CSIA has the resources you need to start this conversation in your workplace.

Create Cultural Safety

Learn out about inclusive employment practices

Build a Culturally Diverse Workforce

Commit to women’s economic security

Place-based solutions

The Strategy considers the differences in regions across Queensland and the importance of a tailored approach.

There will be an emphasis on local collaboration and leadership to unpack the needs, the top priorities for development, for communities to work together towards their economic vision and strategies to get the workforce to support this vision.

We know there will be an appetite to drive this and be successful in regional and remote community services and we’ll keep you posted on opportunities for the regions.

A focus on skills

The Strategy focuses on creating a pipeline of skilled workers to take advantage of the economic opportunities that are coming up in Queensland.

This will include designing a smoother transition from school to work by creating strong and effective school-Industry partnerships.

Other actions include partnering to increase the uptake of apprenticeships and traineeships, extending the Micro-Credentialing Pilot Program, and bringing universities, Government and Industry together to increase collaboration and engagement.

The Gateway to Industry Schools program is being extended and will include an element around ensuring accessibility for individuals and groups that are under-represented.

A large investment for workforce

Of the $70million investment through the First Action Plan of the Strategy, $20million will go toward the Workforce Connect Fund. This is an innovation fund for new initiatives and large-scale projects to drive systematic change in attraction, retention and participation issues. Projects can address a specific challenge Industry is facing or propose a broader concept to address issues more holistically.

A network of Industry-based workforce advisors will work directly with employers across the State to help diversify their workforce. The advisors will assist small businesses with applications for the Workforce Connect Fund.

A Workforce Collaboration Hub has been developed for employers to provide examples of where they have been innovative, to share their experiences and stories of success.

We’ll continue to bring you everything you need to know as the Strategy and Action Plans roll out over the next ten years.