Case study: Regional Queensland is a crucial focus for the Local Government Association of Queensland
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[Alison Smith, CEO, Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ)]
The LGAQ is the peak body for all of Queensland's councils. We represent all councils across the state and how we provide support to them as a peak body is through advocacy, through the work that we do to provide support and assistance in the areas of governance with legal issues, and we also have two commercial subsidiaries.
The Queensland Workforce Strategy is for the next ten years, and it has three pillars that are really important to local government; those pillars of connect, educate and attract, are really important because Queensland is the most decentralised state.
We already have councils participating in provides through the strategy that are doing things such as building capacity in rural and remote areas that are helping to train apprentices and trainees.
[Elle Ackland, Manager – Industrial Relations, LGAQ]
The things that we're hearing from our councils, it is how important it is to attract people to regional communities, rural and some of our coastal areas.
[Alison Smith, CEO, Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ)]
I think everyone's facing similar challenges right now and that is that there is a skilled worker shortage.
[Elle Ackland, Manager – Industrial Relations, LGAQ]
The expectations of workforce has really changed the way that employers have to look at what we can do differently, so that might mean looking at diversity, looking at how we go about recruitment and also being open to suggestions from employees themselves.
We're really excited that we can partner with the department so that our local government councils' employees can access these programs.
[Alison Smith, CEO, Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ)]
So, the department has a website with all the details. It's a good one stop shop for people who are interested in finding ways where they can tap into what's available.
As the most decentralised state in Australia, Queensland presents unique challenges for employers in attracting and retaining employees in regional, rural, and coastal communities. The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) is taking action by focusing on implementing current and future skills training and workforce planning as part of the Queensland Workforce Strategy.
Alison Smith, CEO of LGAQ, emphasises the association's multifaceted role. "We represent all councils across the state—through advocacy, support in governance and legal issues. This approach is instrumental in addressing the skilled worker shortage in Queensland, particularly in its decentralised, regional communities."
By addressing workforce challenges such as labour shortages and staff retention, the LGAQ is not only providing solutions but also linking regional councils to a range of training and assessment opportunities. These include non-accredited training and micro-credentials that are available to employers.
Over the next 3 years, 24 rural and remote Queensland councils will be supported to assist up to 750 people through these Queensland Workforce Strategy initiatives.
This focus on developing local skills and job creation in rural and remote communities will significantly increase the workforce capacity in these locations, a tangible and impactful result of the LGAQ's efforts.
Industrial Relations Manager at LGAQ Elle Ackland affirms, "We're excited that we can partner with the department so that our local government councils' employees can access these programs."
To learn more about the Queensland Workforce Strategy and the local solutions supported by the LGAQ, visit Good people. Good jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022–2032.