Video transcript
[Carolyn Evans, Vice-Chancellor, Griffith University]
[Background music] The Queensland Workforce Strategy is an integrated approach to dealing with the quite serious problem of how we make sure we have the right skilled workforce. That is, that we have good jobs, but they're also for the people of Queensland. Universities, I think play a critical role in the workforce both now and into the future, if we don't get that skills part right, if we don't have the right education opportunities in schools, in VET and TAFE, in universities, then no matter how good the people are, no matter how good the jobs are, we simply won't be able to fulfill the needs of employers and indeed the needs of the broader state.
So I'm always really excited about the opportunities to get the right education to the right people in the right places at the right time. There's a real opportunity for partnerships between education providers, and that might be schools, TAFE, VET, universities and industry, we're seeing much more of that now. At Griffith University, for example, we have a relationship with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia where we're upskilling 3000 of their employees to be able to better investigate and detect financial crime.
One of the things I really like about the workforce strategy is that it's not just about helping the people who are currently on the pathway to or already in employment, it's about looking at the people who've been excluded from employment. One of the groups I'm particularly passionate about of people with disabilities who are underemployed in Australia and much more so than they are in other Western countries.
We have a potential workforce there that is motivated, intelligent, engaged and really willing to be involved in the workforce when those people are given the opportunity to be so, they make fantastic employees.
The Good people. Good jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022–2032 has resulted in collaboration between the Queensland Government and more than 90 industry and community organisations across the state to deliver the 33 actions in the strategy's first Action Plan 2022–2025.
From this, thousands of employers, jobseekers and workers are set to receive direct support.
The strategy can only deliver on its objectives with industry expertise and the collaboration and commitment between higher education, VET, industry and government.
Queensland universities play a critical role in ensuring the state has a skilled workforce, a view promoted by Griffith University Vice-Chancellor Professor Carolyn Evans.
Professor Evans is a member of the Queensland Workforce Strategy Roundtable and advocates for an integrated approach between government and tertiary institutions.
Professor Evans says the building blocks for the future workforce begin at school and continues with VET or tertiary education to deliver a skilled workforce in Queensland.
The strategy creates clearer pathways between school, training, and local employment opportunities.
"Universities play a critical role in the workforce, both now and into the future.
"It's important that we get that skills part right," says Vice-Chancellor Carolyn Evans.
"If we don't have the right education opportunities in schools, in VET and TAFE, and in universities, then no matter how good the people are, and no matter how good the jobs are, we simply won't be able to fulfill the needs of employers and indeed the needs of the broader state."
The 10-year Queensland Workforce Strategy identifies 5 key focus areas to create meaningful workplace outcomes.
These are workforce participation, local solutions, school to work transitions, workforce attraction and retention, and Skilling Queenslanders now and into the future.
As a member of the Queensland Workforce Strategy Roundtable, Professor Evans is fulsome in praise for the strategy, which is not just about helping the people who are currently on the pathway to or already in employment but seeks to present opportunities to potential workers excluded from employment.
"One of the groups that I'm particularly passionate about are people with disabilities who are underemployed in Australia, must more so than they are in other Western countries," says Vice-Chancellor Evans.
"We have a potential workforce that is motivated, intelligent, engaged, and really willing to be involved in the workplace.
"When those people are given the opportunity to be so, they make fantastic employees."
Learn more about the Good people. Good jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022–2032.
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Last updated 15 December 2023
