FNQ Skills Formation Strategy
Introduction
The Skills Formation Strategy framework provides a forum for industry members from across Far North Queensland to:
- Lead the development of activities to address workforce issues and support business goals
- Engage with key stakeholders to develop innovative solutions, and
- Develop ongoing industry, regionally owned processes that are able to address labour and workforce issues into the future
Strategy Phases
Research Phase
The strategy is currently in its research and consultation phase to provide context and scope around the project.
This phase has involved meeting with industry representatives from the Agriculture, Civil Construction, Construction, Manufacturing, Tourism, Transport, Aviation, Marine, Health and the region’s Resources sector.
For that purpose and following consultations with industry representatives operating in Cairns, the Tablelands, Cook Shire and in the Cassowary Coast region the Far North Queensland Industry Workforce Development Group (FNQIWDG) has formed and aims to deliver a work ready, flexible FNQ based workforce to support the growth of industries and businesses in the region. Industry sectors currently involved in this initiative are Agriculture, Civil Construction, Construction, Manufacturing, Tourism, Transport and Resources.
Industry Leaders Group
The Industry Leaders Group is a collaborative group of industry stakeholders formed to enable industry to provide guidance and strategic direction for the project.
Members of the FNQIWDG are:
Chair: Colin Keily, HR Manager, MSG Sugar Limited
Deputy Chair: Phil Cassell, Director, Candoze Pty Ltd Group
Committee members:
Andrew McIntosh, Commercial Manager, Northbuild Constructions
Cameron MacKay, Director Mackay Estates
Dennis Wright, Manager, NQ Troncs Transport Solutions
Fred White, CEO, Sea Swift
Jeff Jackson, Managing Director, Jackson & Jackson Refrigeration
Joe Crawford, Grazier & Chair, Tablelands Industry Workforce Group
Joe Marano, Cane Grower & Chair, Cane Growers Innisfail
Kamball Schafferius: Human Resources and Training Manager, Rio Tinto Alcan
Margie McKenzie: Managing Director, Gempearl Pty Ltd
Noel Gertz, Facilitator, North East Resource Sector, Indigenous Relations Alliance
Sean Adams, Director, Cairns Steel Fabrication
Sean Genever, Director, FNQ Dept. of Education & Training, Skills Queensland
Stan Kielbaska, General Manager, Skyrail
Tanya Pavez, Group Manager Human Resources, Kagara Mining
Industry Action Plan
The Industry Action Plan will be developed by the industry stakeholders based on the identified key workforce issues affecting the industry.
The FNQIWDG has initially identified five strategy areas relevant to the region and across industry sectors on which it will focus.
The strategy areas are:
Brand – to build a strong FNQ brand that supports the attraction and retention of skilled workers to and within the region.
Partnerships and pathways - to identify complimentary industry partnerships and employment pathways that maximise utilisation of the existing labour pool.
Supply and demand - to identify, and where possible quantify labour supply and demand trends within the region for the next 5 to 10 years, highlighting gaps in the supply chain.
Influencing change – identifying and engaging key stakeholders from the community, government, industry, training and employment service providers to support the group objectives.
Workforce change – developing workforce solutions that meet industry needs.
Working groups involving key stakeholders from across the region will be established to address the identified and prioritised issues.
Strategy Project Manager
Colleen Hallmond
Phone: 07 4080 2914
Mobile: 0448 805 452
Email: colleen.hallmond@advancecairns.com