Queensland employers can access a range of workforce related support thanks to the Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022–2032.
Engineers Australia’s Queensland General Manager Stacey Rawlings features in a video as part of the workforce strategy campaign. She speaks about her experiences with migrant engineers in the region and the importance of engineers in advancing society.
The video promotes a Queensland Government guide for ‘Attracting and retaining engineers from migrant backgrounds’ featuring Engineers Australia’s migration statistics and research findings.
“The guide has been developed to help employers navigate the systems and services that are available and the qualifications that engineers that come from overseas may have and how that fits into the Australian system,’ Ms Rawlings says.
Another video features a migrant engineer speaking about his experiences working with SMEC as an electrical engineer.
As part of the workforce strategy small to medium businesses can reach out to an industry workforce advisor to help identify workforce solutions, develop a workforce plan, and identify recruitment strategies to expand applicant pools or connect with available support, including government programs and funding.
Through the workforce connect fund, small businesses can apply for a human resources (HR) support grant of up to $5,000 (subject to available funding) to implement new and innovative HR solutions to address an immediate need.
Employers can also have a one-on-one session with business mentors through the Mentoring for Growth program to discuss options and ideas to solve workforce challenges or other business issues.
Other initiatives available assisting employers in attracting and retaining workers include the Diverse Queensland Workforce program to connect employers with local migrants, refugees and international students looking for work and the Back to Work program, which provides eligible employers with a range of financial and non-financial support when employing and retaining an eligible jobseeker through the program.
The Queensland Government website has information on support and resources for employers, industry, and communities to help meet their workforce needs through the Queensland Workforce Strategy.