Qld to push for more workforce diversity to plug staff shortages

A $5.6 million service will be established to help migrants, refugees and international students find work, with $5.45 million allocated to expand the service to Townsville, Rockhampton and the Sunshine Coast.

Loading

Another $3 million will be spent to establish a Skilled Workforce Attraction Office to help migrants and refugees settle in Queensland.

That agency will also work out ways to attract more interstate and international workers to the state, while a Multicultural Affairs Settlement Team will advocate for migrants and refugee workers.

The government also plans to help connect First Nations people with training programs for sustainable jobs and ensure the public sector is a model employer for under-represented minority groups.

The plan comes as 80 per cent of small- and medium-size businesses reported facing rising labour costs in the June quarter.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland survey shows two in three of the businesses reported difficulty finding and keeping full- and part-time staff, while more than 30 per cent struggled to attract and retain casuals.

CCIQ chief executive Heidi Cooper says it’s important for the national Jobs and Skills Summit to find solutions to increasing labour costs, skills shortages, and to support training.

“We know there is a need for skills reform and training incentives to help alleviate the impact of skills and labour shortages on Queensland businesses’ ability to not only operate day to day, but to grow long-term,” she said in a statement.

“We expect there to be a focus on skills and training.”