Grow Your Own Workforce - Round 1
Far North Queensland water sector
Queensland’s water industry plays a vital role in supporting all water users—households, agriculture, business, and industry alike. The water sector directly affects the Queensland economy and provides essential environmental services that include managing catchments, dams, stormwater and effluent discharges.
Far North Queensland Regional Water Capability Plan
In partnership with Far North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (FNQROC) and Queensland Water, the FNQROC Regional Water Capability Plan identifies opportunities for member councils to improve capability in the areas of people, systems, data and processes.
It provides scalable and strategic initiatives to attract, retain, reskill and upskill both the current and future workforces, who are pivotal to the delivery of a safe and consistent water supply.
Far North Queensland regional water capability plan (PDF, 4.5MB)
(Published 13 March 2025)
Summary of the Far North Queensland regional water capability plan (PDF, 720KB)
(Published 13 March 2025)
Bundaberg/Wide Bay food and beverage manufacturing sector
There are an estimated 1,139 direct jobs in Bundaberg’s food product and beverage manufacturing sector. The local food and beverage manufacturing industry plays a vital role in the region’s economy, contributing $686 million.
Environmental scan and workforce plan
In partnership with Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers (BFVG), Jobs Queensland worked with key industry employers to develop a workforce plan for the Bundaberg food and beverage manufacturing sector.
The workforce plan addresses gaps and provides real and tangible outcomes for employers to support their workforce needs and provide local employment opportunities for the region.
Bundaberg food and beverage manufacturing environmental scan (PDF, 2MB)
(Published 5 February 2024)
Wide Bay food and beverage manufacturing industry workforce development plan (PDF, 2.3MB)
(Published 27 September 2024)
Wide Bay forestry sector
Queensland’s forest and timber industry is the state’s third most valuable agricultural processing industry contributing an estimated $3.8 billion to the Queensland economy.
Environmental scan and workforce plan
In partnership with Timber Queensland, this project worked with key industry stakeholders to understand workforce needs and develop a workforce plan that reflects net-zero emissions targets and the use of transformative technology. The workforce plan helps retain and upskill the existing workforce and attract new entrants to the industry.
This project provides local employment opportunities for the region and helps build capacity to support the industry now and into the future.
As a key deliverable of this workforce planning project, an industry and region environmental scan was developed to provide an evidence base prior to consultation activities in November 2023.
Wide Bay forestry environmental scan (PDF, 2.5MB)
(Published 27 October 2023)
Wide Bay forest and timber industry workforce development plan (PDF, 2.5MB)
(Published 15 August 2024)
Cairns maritime, marine and aviation sectors
The Cairns maritime and marine sector supports an estimated 4,600 jobs and is set to benefit from a new workforce plan aimed at meeting the growing need for skilled workers in the region. The Port of Cairns services about 15% of Australian registered vessels and 80% of North Queensland vessels more than 15 metres, as well as international vessels.
The Cairns region hosts a vibrant and resilient aviation and aerospace industry comprising of more than 76 local businesses. As a major hub for the industry across the Asia-Pacific region, the industry is projected to grow up to 27.3% by 2026.
This project worked with local maritime, marine and aviation industry leaders to identify local workforce challenges and opportunities and support the industry to ‘grow their own’ regional workforce to meet current and future needs.
Environmental scan and workforce plan
The development of a workforce plan was an important step in ensuring the region remains competitive and local workers have access to the training they need to live and work locally.
Cairns maritime and marine industry environmental scan (PDF, 5.47MB)
(Published 2 November 2023)
Cairns region workforce development plan) (PDF, 2.2MB
(Published 6 June 2024)
Actions from the Cairns region workforce development plan
Student engagement program
To address an action within the Cairns Region Workforce Development Plan, local provider Business Liaison Association has been funded by Jobs Queensland to provide industry tours in the Aviation, Maritime and Marine industries for students.
Through the iEngage Student Industry Engagement Program students are able to experience the latest in manufacturing technologies and innovations through onsite visits to 5 businesses in Cairns, observing daily operations and discuss career opportunities available in the region.
Find out more about the iEngage program.
Composite materials skills training
Jobs Queensland partnered with the Cairns Aviation Skills Centre (CASC) to development a Composite Materials Skills Course as a non-accredited foundational pathway that leads into Composite Repair Techniques. A first for the region, the course delivers on an action within the Cairns Region Workforce Development Plan calling for cross-industry skills for both the aviation and marine and maritime industries.
Upskilling existing staff from both industries provides the region with opportunity to repair aviation and marine vessels locally using advanced composite materials for the first time.
Concurrently a locally based trainer successfully completed the training, to increase local offerings in the years to come.
Connect with Cairns Aviation Skills Centre about their other upcoming training.