Grow Your Own Workforce - Round 3

Aged and Community Care Providers Association

The aged care sector in Far North Queensland is facing critical workforce shortages, with demand for skilled workers expected to increase significantly due to the region's ageing population. Projections from the 2020 Aged Care Workforce Census show a need for an additional 110,000 workers nationwide by 2026. In Far North Queensland, chronic disease, disability and mental health issues are further driving the demand for skilled care, particularly in home and palliative care services. Despite these challenges, there is currently no region-specific workforce plan to address the unique needs of the aged care sector in this region.

To address these gaps, a comprehensive workforce plan is urgently needed. The workforce planning project aims to outline short-, medium-, and long-term strategies to develop a skilled workforce capable of meeting the growing demand. By focusing on the need to enhance access to training, improve recruitment and create sustainable care models for both residential and community-based services, the aged care sector in Far North Queensland will be well placed to deliver high-quality care in the years to come.

Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise

This project aims to address the workforce challenges, opportunities and strategies within the health care industry in Toowoomba’s Local Government Area (Statistical Area 4). With the health care sector being the region’s largest employer—supporting approximately 17,500 jobs and contributing $1.37 billion to the local economy—the demand for skilled workers is significant.

Toowoomba's three major hospitals serve a population of over 350,000, including patients from Southwest Queensland and Northern NSW, while also functioning as key training facilities. The local industry is facing increasing workforce shortages and skills gaps, further exacerbated by Toowoomba’s ageing population, which is expected to grow to 21 per cent over 65 by 2036.

As Toowoomba’s health services expand by 2027, the pressure on the region’s workforce will intensify. This project seeks to develop locally focused and industry-led workforce strategies to ensure both public and private health care providers can attract, retain and grow the workforce needed to meet future demand.

By fostering a collaborative approach between private hospitals and Toowoomba Hospital, this project aims to shape the future of the health workforce in Toowoomba, ensuring the sustainability of care for the region’s growing and ageing population.

Queensland Country Tourism

Along the breadth of the 161-kilometre Brisbane Valley Rail Trail (BVRT), there is need for a dedicated workforce plan to address critical shortages and support the growth of the local tourism industry. Research has highlighted a diverse visitor base including families, fitness enthusiasts, retirees and agritourism seekers, creating high demand for skilled workers in accommodation, food services, retail, trail maintenance and specialty tourism services. However, recruitment and retention challenges persist due to the region’s seasonal nature and competition from other sectors.

Key workforce issues include high turnover rates in tourism-related jobs, alongside growing demand for soft skills, digital marketing expertise and business acumen. The 2023 Queensland Tourism Industry Council Workforce Report also highlights significant occupational shortages in frontline roles, tour guides and digital marketing.

A comprehensive, industry-led, focussed workforce plan is essential to address these challenges. By offering targeted training, job placement services and fostering partnerships with educational institutions, the plan will ensure sustainable tourism development, reduce unemployment and promote economic resilience in the regions along the BVRT.

Central Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils

Central Queensland (CQ) is poised for significant growth, driven by its designation as Queensland’s first Renewable Energy Zone and the increasing demand for clean energy project connections. With over 40 renewable energy projects in development, alongside the construction of the Rockhampton Ring Road and the expansion of the CQ Inland Port, the region is set to become a major hub for manufacturing and infrastructure development. Additionally, CQ’s agricultural sector is evolving towards value-added food manufacturing, further boosting demand for skilled workers.

As the region expands, critical shortages of skilled labour is emerging, further highlighting a major gap in local supply chain capacity. The CQ Manufacturing Workforce Plan will address these workforce shortfalls by creating a roadmap to attract, retain and grow the skilled workforce needed for these large-scale projects.

Through this place-based approach, the strategy aims to secure both economic and social benefits for the region, ensuring CQ’s manufacturing sector is prepared for the future demands of renewable energy, agriculture and infrastructure development.

Central Western Queensland Remote Area Planning and Development Board

The Central Western Queensland Remote Area Planning and Development Board (RAPAD) is projected to see an 11.2 per cent growth in the arts and recreation services sector by 2025–2026 reflecting the flourishing arts, tourism and creative industries in the region. To sustain this momentum, a strategic workforce plan is essential to support the expected growth and align with local government priorities for worker attraction, retention and regional workforce development.

RAPAD’s successful establishment of the Regional University Study Hub (RUSH) through the Country University Centre RAPAD CWQ will further enhance student engagement, accessibility and inclusion. This initiative offers a valuable opportunity to develop homegrown talent, through a coordinated workforce strategy to fully capitalise on the region’s growth to secure long-term success and sustainability in this thriving industry.

Roma Commerce and Tourism

The Maranoa region, despite its small population of 13,255, boasts a surplus of job opportunities, with 8458 local jobs spread across 2615 registered businesses. To capitalise on these opportunities, a strategic workforce plan aims to provide economic stability and a pathway forward for the regions key growth sectors such as Agriculture, Resources & Support Services, Health & Community Services and Retail to address workforce shortages and skill gaps.

Through the development of partnerships and engagement with neighbouring regions, regional associations and local governments, the Maranoa region aims to develop comprehensive strategies that will benefit the entire region, fostering economic resilience and supporting long-term sustainability.

Active Queenslanders Industry Alliance

The ‘Unleash Your Potential’ project is designed to inspire and engage schools, students and parents by promoting careers in the Active Industry sector. Through the development of resources, attendance at school events and expos and connecting students with employers, the project aims to offer a valuable workplace experience as part of vocational training pathways.

This initiative addresses an action within the 2024–2034 Active Industry Workforce Plan, focusing on growing local workforces, promoting diverse career pathways, and addressing skills shortages in the Active Industry, which has been significantly impacted post-COVID.

Central Highlands Development Corporation Limited

The ‘Enhancing Early Childhood Education and Care’ project is designed to address the workforce challenges of the Early Childhood sector within the Central Highlands region.

The project will focus on improving operational efficiencies at current centres to support optimal occupancy rates. This involves identification and addressing the critical shortage of educators, which is essential to fully utilise existing facilities. Strategies to retain skilled educators will be explored, including professional development opportunities and supportive working conditions.

Additionally, the project seeks to build community support by educating the public on the importance of a well-supported childcare workforce and creating an environment that values and retains early childhood professionals within the region.

By addressing these key areas, the project aims to enhance the effectiveness of childcare services, improve service delivery and support the development of a robust childcare system in the Central Highlands, ensuring that current centres are operating at full capacity and are adequately supported.