Tourism plan maps out future training for 20,000 new jobs

Minister for Training and Skills Yvette D’Ath has today released a plan that maps out the future of the tourism workforce and outlines how the industry is expected to need another 20,000 workers by 2020.

The Queensland Tourism Workforce Plan 2017-2020 is a key component of the Palaszczuk Government’s Advancing Tourism Strategy, and has been developed by Jobs Queensland.

“This plan has created a roadmap for how we prepare for future job needs that will be available in the tourism sector,” Mrs D’Ath said.

“It is estimated that about 20,000 extra tourism workers will be needed in Queensland by 2020 and this plan is a starting point that will help ensure we have a skilled-up workforce to meet that demand.”

Jobs Queensland Chair Rachel Hunter said the Plan was developed following extensive consultation with industry and communities across Queensland.

“This plan provides an industry-endorsed strategic framework to build on the strengths of the tourism industry while providing clear and achievable goals that Government and the industry can work towards,” she said.

“Through consultation, we know that recruitment and retention of a skilled workforce can be difficult for employers and we need new and innovative ways of thinking to address these issues.

“We know change is coming and this plan outlines a clear path forward for Government, industry and various stakeholders in four key areas: careers, local workforce, skills and collaboration.”

Later this year Jobs Queensland will also provide individual reports for 13 regions that will detail specific local job and training needs in the tourism sector for those areas.

Mrs D’Ath said high quality service from skilled staff was critical to ensure Queensland remained competitive with other tourist destinations.

“As the plan outlines, to keep up with the influx of extra visitors expected over the coming years, forecasters predict that the key occupations will be for chefs, transport drivers, café/restaurant/hotel managers, kitchen hands, waiters and baristas,” she said.

“There are also a number of other industries where it is expected the number of jobs will grow, including health care and social assistance, technical services, education and training and construction.

“Employees and businesses are the lifeblood of the tourism industry and this plan and its recommendations will help us design initiatives to meet the training and skills needs, which can include developing courses and training programs, improving pathways into employment, and finding ways to keep workers in the industry.”

Jobs Queensland was established last year under the Palaszczuk Government as an independent statutory entity to provide expert advice about which industries will have future job opportunities and how the Government can ensure there is a skilled and available workforce to meet those demands.

The Advancing Tourism Strategy 2016-2020 is the Palaszczuk Government’s plan to capitalise on the significant tourism growth in Queensland and targets key areas, identified by industry, to increase market share and boost tourism jobs.

As part of the Government’s commitment to the strategy, Jobs Queensland worked with industry and stakeholders to develop the Queensland Tourism Workforce Plan 2017-2020.

Read the Queensland Tourism Workforce Plan.

Last updated 21 January 2021