Case study: Moving Queensland businesses towards growth

As a small business looks to expand their workforce, having government-enabled programs that provide owners with support and resources to grow and succeed can be a welcome relief.

Murri's on the Move is a First-Nations-led driving school covering Sunshine Coast to Caboolture, teaching safe driving skills and driver education to those facing barriers in the area. Acquiring a driver's licence through their program can significantly enhance employment opportunities and personal independence.

Owner Kerry Turner was struggling with hiring the right people for the business, and didn't have the HR framework in place to support personnel expansion in a sustainable way.

Through the Queensland Workforce Strategy's Industry Workforce Advisor (IWA) program, Kerry was able to connect with the Transport and Logistics IWA, Angela Mottram, who is based with the Queensland Trucking Association.

Angela provided tools and resources to address workforce and HR challenges and also connected Kerry with a $5,000 Human Resources Support Grant for small business through the Workforce Connect Fund.

Working together, Kerry and Angela were able to solidify a workforce plan, with actions to support recruitment planning and strategies, auditing current HR policies, creating attractive role descriptions, role KPIs, as well as an investigation into leveraging the business model for long-term expansion.

The IWA program has put Kerry in a position to grow the business and has since hired 2 First Nations employees; an additional driving instructor and an administrative assistant, who is in the process of upskilling in marketing with a certificate program sponsored by Murri's on the Move.

"Workforce planning has been fantastic for the business. The support means we can carry out business as usual, without adding extra stress to our existing staff. We did a review of positions and responsibilities and now everyone has clarity on what success looks like.

"Angela, our Industry Workforce Advisor, is a powerhouse. Her professionalism has been a godsend to me and because she is industry specific, she understood what works for our business. Working with her allowed me to identify key areas and gaps that we need to work on. Now we have developed a workforce plan and guidelines that I can refer to and follow," said Kerry.

With the workforce support available through the Queensland Workforce Strategy for small businesses like Murri's on the Move, Kerry feels secure about the future of her business, knowing that the HR framework is updated. Her employees are also upskilling thanks to development plans.

More information

Connect with an Industry Workforce Advisor.

Learn more about the Workforce Connect Fund and the HR Support Grants.

Get involved in the Good people. Good jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022–2032.