The Bundaberg food and beverage manufacturing sector is one of four key Queensland regional sectors to receive more funding support from the Queensland Government to help with workforce planning initiatives.
The new ‘Grow Your Own’ program will partner with regional industries and communities to develop workforce plans and action-based initiatives.
The program’s budget of $4.5 million over three years will be delivered through Jobs Queensland.
Under the program, local key stakeholders and industry representatives will be assisted to identify workforce needs, plan what skills will be required, and map how the region and industry can meet the needs of the sector and support the region’s economic goals.
The program aims to ensure key industries in the regions remain competitive by providing access to suitable training programs to attract new workers and upskill existing workers.
The program will also support the delivery of comprehensive workforce plans to nurture Bundaberg’s regional industry workforces.
Member for Bundaberg Tom Smith said Jobs Queensland would work with local industry to identify workforce challenges and opportunities.
“Manufacturing has always played a key role in the economic success of the Bundaberg Region and through this program will continue to be a strategic asset to value-add to traditional industries,” he said.
“The development of a workforce plan will be an important step in ensuring that the industry in our region remains competitive and that local workers have access to the training they need to succeed.”
Minister for Employment and Small Business, Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer said the industries chosen for the initial funding were essential to local economies and job creation.
“The Bundaberg economy is worth $8.2 billion dollars and local food and beverage manufacturing contributes approximately $686 million dollars toward this – or 8.3% total region production,” she said.
Other Queensland regional industries partnering with Jobs Queensland and receiving initial funding and support are:
- Wide Bay forestry sector,
- Cairns maritime/marine sector, and
- Far North Queensland water sector.
The Good people. Good jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022–2032 is a whole of government strategy guiding the development and growth of Queensland’s workforce.
For more information about Jobs Queensland’s ‘Grow Your Own’ program, please visit https://jobsqueensland.qld.gov.au/projects/grow-your-own-regional-workforce/
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tom, i can assure you that age 12, i grew lettuce and sold them on the roadside at sixpence a head. took a lot to make 10 bob. there must be lots of older people here who had to do the same thing. handouts are not the teacher like hard work.