Regional Skills Investment Strategy delivers

Jobs and Skills Fest, November 2019.

Hundreds of Scenic Rim employers are getting support to find, train and upskill the workers they need to prosper and grow via the Regional Skills Investment Strategy (RSIS) project.

Since the RSIS project commenced in 2019, 338 employers across the Scenic Rim's agriculture, health and allied services, tourism and hospitality sectors have engaged with it, securing 176 training outcomes and 139 employment outcomes.

Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen said the RSIS project, which is funded by the Queensland Government's Department of Employment, Small Business and Training (DESBT) for two years until June 2021, was making a significant difference in the Scenic Rim.

"The RSIS Project closely aligns with the workforce development intent of the Scenic Rim Regional Prosperity Strategy 2020-2025 and fundamentally exists to drive significant economic outcomes, job containment and growth and lifestyle and liveability outcomes for the Scenic Rim," he said.

"Council is committed to helping support our local businesses create valuable jobs for local people.”

"Council is delighted to have secured funding for the Scenic Rim to get one of several RSIS Project Coordinators currently working across Queensland and we are seeing wonderful results through the creation of pilot programs, advising industry of funding available and helping navigate the government opportunities available to employers and employees alike."

He said the results were tangible.

"Just to name a few examples, through the RSIS project, we worked with Tamborine Mountain tourism icon Cedar Creek Lodges to develop their pilot hospitality program, we worked to develop a pilot program to train new workers for the Scenic Rim's turf industry and we're working with Queensland and Australian government agencies to support bulk recruitment for on-farm workers," he said.

Australian Lawn Concepts Managing Director John Keleher said opportunities like the pilot program were invaluable.

"The turf industry is an ever changing environment with a need for skilled workers who are trained in the agricultural industry and have an understanding of technology, so any opportunity to train new workers for the sector is of significant benefit to our industry in the Scenic Rim," he said.

"This pilot program will help us secure new workers to fill available roles while providing opportunities for skills development and employment."

Actions to engage with the region's business operators include providing guidance to access funding for business development, securing apprentices, assisting displaced employees affected by fires, floods and COVID-19, staging of the Scenic Rim Jobs and Skills Fest event, delivery of the recent Scenic Rim Business Breakfast event and planning for the World of Work event. The creation of an RSIS Reference Group and the launch of the Scenic Rim Jobs portal have also proved successful.

Scenic Rim businesses can access support through the RSIS project by emailing Project Coordinator on prosperity@scenicrim.qld.gov.au or calling 07 5540 5111.

The Regional Skills Investment Strategy project is proudly supported and funded by the Queensland Government.

Image caption: The successful Scenic Rim Jobs and Skills Fest was held in November 2019 as part of the Regional Skills and Investment Strategy project.