Improving training pathways and building up the local skilled workforce for primary industries, tourism and business is on the agenda for Cassowary Coast.
Minister for Training and Skills Development Shannon Fentiman said $350,000 would be invested over two years for Cassowary Coast Regional Council to engage with employers and other stakeholders to increase training opportunities for new and existing workers in key industries.
“The Regional Skills Investment Strategy is working with communities across the state to get more businesses, workers and Queenslanders developing the skills that can drive their local economies forward,” Ms Fentiman said.
“Supporting new and existing workers in primary industries, tourism and business will help grow the local economy, increase productivity and prepare the region to take advantage of new opportunities and emerging technologies.”
Cassowary Coast Regional Council Mayor John Kremastos said Kira-Jane Clark had been appointed as the Regional Skills Investment Strategy project coordinator and had already started building networks in the region.
“Our primary industries and tourism sectors are already well known thanks to our rainforests, cane and banana farms and access to the Great Barrier Reef, but by adding to our skilled workforce employers can develop new opportunities that will help our region stay at the cutting edge in these competitive industries,” Cr Kremastos said.
“We are also making sure we don’t overlook the everyday businesses that all communities rely on. The small and medium businesses in the main shopping precincts of Tully, Innisfail, Cardwell and Mission Beach along with the main street shops in our smaller towns are vital too.
“Getting more businesses and individuals training for the future will mean Cassowary Coast will continue to be a great place to live, work and holiday.”
The Regional Skills Investment Strategy is a $9 million initiative funded over four years that supports the Queensland Government to partner with communities to ensure a supply of skilled local people to meet demand for current and emerging jobs in regional communities.
The Queensland Government has also funded projects in Ipswich, Mackay, Central Western Queensland, Southern Downs, Central Highlands, Bundaberg, Fraser Coast, Whitsunday, Townsville, Rockhampton, Lockyer Valley, Goondiwindi, Scenic Rim, Toowoomba, Redland City, Tablelands and Burdekin under the Regional Skills Investment Strategy.