July 31, 2015
The State Government today unveiled plans for a Rural Jobs and Skills Alliance (RJSA) to address shortages of skilled labour on farms.
Agriculture Minister Bill Byrne said the RJSA was being developed in collaboration with the Queensland Farmers’ Federation, AgForce, Growcom and Canegrowers to provide practical solutions to the workforce issues that affect rural employers.
“One of our key election commitments was to work with industry to secure pathways for jobs in rural Queensland,” Mr Byrne said.
“Our intention was to help rural enterprises meet their seasonal employment needs, help people to acquire the skills required to satisfy potential employers and get more young people in rural and regional Queensland into apprenticeships that enhance their chances of long-term employment.
“I am delighted to say that, thanks to the spirit of partnership and collaboration we have found with the agricultural sector peak bodies, we can do all that and more.
“Those bodies support the establishment of the RJSA as the single point of reference for Queensland’s agricultural sectors for workforce matters.
“The alliance will lead the collection, analysis and publication of jobs and skills data from primary producers across Queensland and that information will be invaluable in filling skills gaps.
“It will assist those employers suffering from skills and labour shortages to fill the gaps and it will continue AgForce’s existing Schools to Industry Partnership Program to increase awareness, understanding and appeal of agricultural and rural work and lifestyle.
“More than $3 million was committed in the State Budget to fund this initiative.
“The RJSA will make a telling contribution to the efficiency and profitability of rural businesses and those who live and work in farming communities.
“It will bring stability and certainty to the agricultural sector and will be a boon to rural job-seekers.”
QFF CEO Clare Murray said one of the greatest obstacles to future growth in agriculture was attracting and retaining an adequately skilled and trained workforce.
“The Rural Jobs and Skills Alliance will provide the government with a model for the clear identification of workforce supply gaps and the best-value-for-money investment opportunities for their training and skills expenditure,” she said.
“QFF looks forward to working with the Palaszczuk Government to grow employment opportunities in rural and regional areas.”
Growcom CEO Pat Hannan said his organisation was strongly supportive of the State Government initiative.
“Our mutual objective is to provide practical solutions to the workforce issues that currently affect rural employers and, as we look to the future, to get more young people into the rural workforce. We look forward to working with the Minister and the Queensland Government to make a real difference in this area,” he said.
Canegrowers CEO Dan Galligan said his group also welcomed the initiative and looked forward to working in collaboration with industry and government.
