Rockhampton's workforce experts and business community have come together to strategise and address workforce challenges at the Skills in Focus Seminar, delivered by Rockhampton Regional Council's economic development arm, Advance Rockhampton.
Data from Advance Rockhampton estimates an additional 9,000 jobs will be created across the Rockhampton Region in the 2024-2028 period, with strong growth expected in healthcare and social assistance, education, professional services, energy, resources, agriculture, defence and transport.
The Skills in Focus Seminar aims to foster local solutions to the national issue of workforce attraction and retention, while providing business owners and industry leaders with insights into employment and migration trends, future outlooks, and programs successfully being used by major employers in the Region.
The latest Business Chamber Queensland Pule Report found 62.5% of Queensland businesses find retaining and recruiting suitable qualified employees a constraint on the business.
Mayor Tony Williams said while workforce retention and attraction is an issue across regional Australia, solutions need to be established at a grass-roots level.
"Rockhampton is the place to be for high-value, high-demand jobs and we need to come together as a community to demonstrate that to potential employees and school leavers," Mayor Williams said.
"We have world-class education facilities, a uniquely diverse economy, and an affordable lifestyle that is the envy of others around the country. What's also incredible is many skilled workers in regional areas like Rockhampton will be paid more than their city counterparts.
"What we need to do as a Region is come together, talk up the abundant opportunities in Rockhampton and ensure businesses have strategies in place to keep their workforce engaged. That's what the Skills in Focus Seminar is all about."
The seminar included presentations from Kylie Newey from Jobs Queensland, Lisa Blacker from Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service, Corey Bloomfield from CQUniversity, and a fireside chat with Jen Hoyle from Queensland Resources Council. Together, they bring decades of experience in workforce planning, skills development, employment and leadership.
Advance Rockhampton Economic Development Manager Wade Clark said now is an exciting time to consider a career and plan your future in Rockhampton.
"Rockhampton has recently reached a record labour force and employees are still looking for quality staff. While that presents challenges for businesses, it shows a strength to our economy," Mr Clark said.
"Our hope is the Skills in Focus Seminar gives businesses a few more tools to attract workers from out of Region and upskill local job-seekers and school leavers.
"My message to those local job-seekers and school leavers is that you are wanted here – we value your contribution to the Rockhampton Region and the opportunities are endless if you commit to a career here."
