Successful projects

Find out about the Workforce Connect Fund's successful large scale projects.

• 2023–24 funding round outcomes
• 2022–23 funding round outcomes

2023–24 funding round outcomes

Read the 2023–24 Workforce Connect Fund funding guidelines.

Organisation: Aged and Community Care Providers Association
Project name: Gerontological Nursing (a professional portfolio empowering RNs for gerontological care excellence)
Industry focus: Health, community services
Delivery location: State-wide

Overview: This project proposes to address the stigmas nursing graduates have towards working in aged care by implementing various strategies including:

• a targeted marketing plan rebranding aged care careers
• implementing a 'Gerontological Specialist Portfolio' micro-credential providing a pathway for career extension
• implementing an induction module specifically to nursing graduates
• and
• introducing complex reviews within aged care environments to enhance clinical skills development.

Partners:

• Mediasphere Holdings Pty Ltd
• University of Sydney
• University of the Sunshine Coast.

Organisation: Australian Prawn Farmers Association
Project name: Aquaculture Farm Induction Using Immersive Technologies Project
Industry focus: Aquaculture
Delivery locations: Aye, Proserpine, Ilbilbie and Woongoolba

Overview: The project aims to develop and implement an effective induction program to prepare new and transitioning workers into the aquaculture sector. The project would act as an extension to an existing program of work known as "The Hub" which unites education providers, industry, government and future participants to collectively address current and future challenges collectively.

This program will utilise immersive technology to onboard new and transition workers and build an induction program in a safe and biosecurity-aware manner; support existing workforce strategies; raise awareness of the aquaculture industry within local communities; and enable customised training products to be used across various aquaculture and agriculture industries.

Partners:

• TAFE Queensland
• AgTech Skills Hub
• Australian Barramundi Farmers Association.

Organisation: Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland
Project name: Interpreter Employment Success Program
Industry focus: Health, community services, business and information communications technologies, business/retail and personal services
Delivery locations: West End, Paddington and state-wide

Overview: The project aims to address the challenges the interpreter industry faces in attracting and retaining qualified interpreters by delivering a two-year training program that will train individuals and service providers to integrate interpreters into the workforce.

The project will promote new and flexible work concepts that fully align with the nature of modern interpreting and will be aided by advanced language technologies inclusive of generative artificial intelligence (AI).

Partners:

• 2M Language Services
• SSI Settlement Services
• National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI).

Organisation: Landscape Queensland Industries Association Inc
Project name: Landscape LinkUP
Industry focus: Agriculture and horticulture
Delivery location: State-wide

Overview: The project aims to bridge the skills gap between seasoned professionals and the next generation of landscapers through knowledge-sharing, enhancing skills, changing perceptions and professional and community development. The project will provide employer engagement and support, including mentoring programs; employee development and retention strategies (including training programs and mentorship initiatives); and a marketing campaign to help raise awareness of the diverse career opportunities within the industry and challenge misconceptions.

Partners:

• April9
• TAFE Queensland
• Globe Group.

Organisation: Manufacturing Excellence Forum Sunshine Coast Limited
Project name: eVTOL Student Team Program
Industry focus: Manufacturing and engineering, business and information communications
Delivery locations: Sippy Downs and Townsville

Overview: The project proposes to roll out an existing eVTOL (electric vertical take-off & landing) Student Team pilot program, providing paid student internships and work experience (through simulation) to high school and tertiary students interested in advanced manufacturing careers.

The program aims to support industry by creating and providing direct access to highly-skilled local talent, and increasing retention through reskilling, increased collaboration and networking.

Partners:

• University of the Sunshine Coast
• Sunshine Coast Council
• educational institutions
• high schools
• TAFE Queensland
• Australian Industry Trade College.

Organisation: Manufacturing Skills Queensland Limited
Project name: Inclusivity in Manufacturing Workforce Program
Industry focus: Manufacturing and engineering
Delivery location: State-wide

Overview: This project proposes to improve recruitment and retention of people with disability in Queensland's manufacturing industry by connecting jobseekers with employers who have existing vacancies.

Employers engaged with the project will have support to redesign positions to be more inclusive and have access to toolkits and training to foster diverse and inclusive work environments. Jobseekers will also receive support and have access to toolkits to support job applications and interviews.

Partners:

• Queenslanders with Disability Network
• Benchon Pty Ltd
• potential participating employers including Lion Nathan, Cook Medical, BlueScope Steel and Downer.

Organisation: Queensland Council of Social Service Ltd
Project name: Growing Our Own
Industry focus: Health, community services
Delivery location: State-wide

Overview: The project aims to increase the attraction, retention and participation of recent entrants to the community services sector by developing a sector-wide understanding of the professional development requirements for early entrant workers; creating a suite of training resources and networks; and developing a learning management system to provide the sector's workforce with access to training resources.

Partners:

• other peak bodies
• community organisations
• workers
• universities and VET providers.

Organisation: Waste Recycling Industry Association Inc Qld
Project name: WRIQ-Connect: Transforming Queensland's Waste Recycling Workforce
Industry focus: Electrotechnology and utilities, manufacturing and engineering
Delivery locations: Brisbane, Toowoomba, Rockhampton, Emerald, Townsville, Cairns and Mt Isa

Overview: The project aims to reshape industry perceptions, enhance safety standards, foster diversity and inclusion and improve workforce capabilities.

The project will develop an industry-specific asbestos training qualification, provide tailored HR advice to small businesses within the industry to improve organisational management practices, establish an industry mentoring program, undertake a skills and training survey and develop an inventory of workforce data and evidence within the industry.

Partners:

• Waste Recycling Academy Queensland
• Ronan Analytics
• Workplace Health and Safety
• The Training Company Australia.

Organisation: Welcoming Australia Ltd
Project name: Workplace Readiness Regional Pilot
Industry focus: Multiple industries
Delivery locations: Western Downs and Toowoomba regions

Overview: This project proposes to address cultural diversity challenges related to workforce attraction and retention. Workplaces will be support in accessing and sharing evidence-based research, policies and case studies to amplify learning. Various platforms will also be used to advocate for improved recruitment policies and reporting.

The project will also facilitate multi-sector partnerships to inform the development and delivery of extensive cultural inclusion training, monitor business retention rates, coordinate people and culture forums and engage discussions.

Partners:

• Diversity Atlas
• FindMEA
• Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
• skilled migrant professionals.

2022–23 funding round outcomes

Read the 2022–23 Workforce Connect Fund funding guidelines.

Organisation: Active Queenslanders Industry Alliance Limited
Project name: Active Industry Career Portal
Industry focus: Sports and recreation
Delivery location: State-wide

Overview: This project aims to address the current critical workforce shortages in fitness, sport and recreation by implementing a career portal to provide information about careers and employment opportunities within the industry in Queensland. The portal will promote the industry as a career of choice, provide stories and interactive information, provide job descriptions, detail qualifications required, and provide links to podcasts and webinars that have links to graduate opportunities and working in the industry.

Partners:

• QSport
• AusActive
• Outdoors Queensland
• existing network of industry partners.

Organisation: Australian Meat Industry Council
Project name: Evaluated strategies to attract, develop and retain Queensland's post-farmgate meat workforce
Industry focus: Agriculture and horticulture, manufacturing and engineering, retail and personal services
Delivery location: State-wide

Overview: The project aims to give Queensland meat retailers, processors, and smallgoods manufacturers the opportunity to access a retention advisory service that will assess their individual workforce needs, and provide practical solutions that can be implemented easily, with minimal cost.

This project will be delivered in 3 phases, including gathering and assessing data from participating enterprises; developing practical interventions using research-based workforce advice; and delivering up to 10 workshops in key regional areas and enterprises adopting these interventions. It is estimated that by supporting at least 45 employers, over 3,000 employees working in these businesses will be directly affected and facilitate their development and retention.

Partner: Response Research

Organisation: Autism Queensland
Project name: Neurodiversity Works
Industry focus: Multiple
Delivery locations: Brisbane, Gold Coast, Logan, Moreton Bay and Ipswich

Overview: The project will support, educate and build employer confidence to successfully employ, integrate, and retain neurodivergent people in the workforce.

Through 4 Autism employer specialists, businesses will be engaged to assess, guide, and inform recruitment lifecycles, and be advised on policy and practice updates to support neurodivergent staff. A neurodivergent mentor will also be engaged to develop an employer toolkit, provide coaching and deliver workshops.

Partners:

• Redland City Council
• QIC
• Brisbane City Council
• ATech
• Carers Queensland
• Riot Solutions
• Qantas
• Telstra.

Organisation: Business Chamber Queensland
Project name: Business Chamber Queensland Workforce Evolve Program
Industry focus: Multiple
Delivery location: State-wide

Overview: The program will support Queensland businesses to transform the way they approach employment practices and foster diversity and inclusion in their workplaces – evolving mindsets, evolving workforces, and evolving communities.

Throughout the program, businesses will have access to tailored, fit-for-purpose support to empower them to achieve future-ready, sustainable and inclusive workforces.

Business Chamber Queensland will work with businesses to identify opportunities, specific to their individual circumstances, that will enhance attraction and retention, while providing practical solutions to foster diversity. This program is an exclusive employer model and will be rolled out in 3 phases:

1. Work with businesses to understand their immediate and long-term needs via a purpose-built digital platform.
2. Give businesses access to a suite of Business Chamber Queensland resources, one-on-one support and training modules to help businesses consider alternative solutions to immediate and long-term challenges.
3. Businesses will be referred to Business Chamber Queensland's panel of expert diversity partners.

Partners:

• Humans Like Us
• Pride in Diversity
• White Ribbon
• Every Age Counts
• Multicultural Australia
• Diversity Council Australia.

Organisation: Civil Contractors Federation Queensland Ltd
Project name: Civil Pathways Program
Industry focus: Electrotechnology and utilities, manufacturing and engineering
Delivery location: South East Queensland

Overview: The project will create an additional labour market for the civil construction industry consisting of cohorts who have previously had little to no exposure to the industry and aims to upskill and connect 150 participants to employment.

The project is designed to address key criteria including education and development, mentorship, systemic change, and stakeholder engagement. The project team will work with community organisations who assist specific cohorts providing industry information, career pathways and facilitate recruitment of participants into the project. The project will also provide industry and employers education on systemic change practices in relation to recruitment and retention of a diverse workforce that differs from the 'norms' within the industry.

Partners:

• Helix Legal
• Holding Redlich Lawyers
• Infrastructure Association of Queensland
• Institute of Civil Infrastructure
• Master Builders Queensland
• National Association of Women in Construction
• Austroads
• Civil Train
• Busy at Work/Busy Sisters
• Nerang Neighbourhood Centre
• Traffic Management Association of Australia (TMAA)
• Workforce Australia organisations
• Construction Skills Queensland
• Ngare Group
• BUSSQ Superannuation.

Organisation: Housing Industry Association (HIA) Limited
Project name: HIA Advanced Apprentice & Employer Mentoring
Industry focus: Construction, electrotechnology and utilities
Delivery location: State-wide

Overview: This project aims to provide a holistic mentoring service to apprentices within the housing industry at risk of dropping out, and employers at risk of cancelling their apprentice indenture due to an inability or inexperience in managing employment and training. HIA will provide 350 apprentice mentoring places and 35 employer places. Both apprentices and employers will have up to 8 hours face-to-face, video link or telephone time per week with mentors to provide support and assistance in addressing any struggles or barriers being faced.

HIA will utilise their vast member network across Queensland to identify apprentices at risk and employers in need of mentoring. Beyond Blue is a project partner and will provide professional support services 24/7 to apprentices and employers.

Partners:

• TAFE Queensland
• MEGT
• Beyond Blue.

Organisation: Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) Ltd
Project name: Supporting First Nations Skilled Workers Project
Industry focus: Business and information communications technology
Delivery location: Cherbourg

Overview: The aim of the pilot program is to facilitate employment for skilled and qualified First Nations workers that is proportionate with their skills and qualifications allowing them to continue to live in their community. LGAQ will partner with Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council (the Pilot Council) who will provide a shared fully equipped office space free of charge to accommodate 10 workers (business hub) to work remotely/virtually.

LGAQ will also engage with a recruitment agency who specialises in placement of First Nations people to match them with appropriate roles/employment opportunities outside of their communities which may be done remotely. If successful, LGAQ indicate potential to extend further to other First Nations councils.

Partners:

• the Pilot Council
• a recruitment agency
• a technology partner.

Organisation: MEGT (Australia) Ltd
Project name: Enhancing Car2Bus – a targeted pre-employment program to rev up Queensland's transport workforce
Industry focus: Transport and logistics
Delivery locations: South East, Cairns and Townsville

Overview: The project will address the workforce shortages being experienced sector-wide by assisting non-traditional workers to enter the road transport industry through attraction campaigns, licensing, skills, and connections. A targeted campaign will be run for women, migrants, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to remove the negative perceptions of the industry.

An innovative skills program will be developed for the sector that provides an MR licence (a critical industry-specific entry requirement) blended with pre-employment skills and enhanced experiential training through a virtual reality solution. The project will also build an enhanced training methodology alongside industry to drive new workforce structures and embed systemic changes through innovation and societal perception.

Partners:

• Major Training Group
• Kinetic.

Organisation: Motor Trades Association of Qld (MTA Queensland) Industrial Organisation of Employers
Project name: Opening Doors to the Automotive Industry
Industry focus: Automotive
Delivery locations: Greater Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Townsville and Darling Downs

Overview: The project will create sustainable pathways to jobs for people disadvantaged in the labour market by addressing the historical recruitment strategies and rigidities in the industry. MTA Queensland aim to rectify the lack of automotive industry connection to community organisations to tap into the real opportunity to grow a more diverse and inclusive workforce and provide employment opportunities to under-represented groups in the workforce.

Project partners will assist in the identification of suitable participants and the delivery of pre-employment language, literacy, and numeracy related support services. They will work with employment mentors to assist ongoing post placement support to participants and their employers and help address any barriers, perceptions, and misconceptions of the workforce.

A key element of the project will be to develop an employer resource kit, dedicated online jobs matching platform and establish a community of practice that can support other employers (post-project) to engage non-traditional cohorts and change the culture of automotive workplaces.

Partners:

• Multicultural Australia
• CoAct.

Organisation: PeakCare Queensland Inc
Project name: PeakCare Workforce Hub
Industry focus: Business, retail and personal services
Delivery locations: Cairns, Townsville, Sunshine Coast and Moreton Bay

Overview: The PeakCare Workforce Hub seeks to address the attraction, retention and participation issues experienced by the child protection industry in Queensland. This project will develop a sector-wide attraction strategy, establish a benchmark minimum standard, entry-level onboarding training program, develop a career plan to increase motivation of employees to stay in the industry, and provide a 'try before you buy' approach to job seekers looking to gain a career in the industry.

Partners:

• IFYS Limited
• Workforce Connect Pty Ltd
• Look Now Training.

Organisation: Queensland Resources Council Ltd (QRC)
Project name: Resources W.I.D.E—Workforce Inclusion and Diversity Engagement
Industry focus: Mining, manufacturing and engineering, electrotechnology and utilities
Delivery location: State-wide

Overview: This project aims to provide a comprehensive baseline of data, not currently available, that will serve to benchmark employment advancements made for underrepresented groups in attraction and participation in Queensland's resources and energy sector. CQUniversity will develop methodologies, carry out research and surveys to establish the baseline of data, map current national and international diversity and inclusion initiatives and provide recommendations on those most suited to the Queensland workforce environment.

A digital hub will be implemented and serve as Queensland's first centralised repository of diversity and inclusion resources to inform, educate, and provide an array of strategies, practical ideas, tools and services that will assist the industry in attracting and retaining a more diversified and inclusive workforce. The hub will be available to all resources and energy businesses (including non-QRC companies) and provide a blueprint to other industries experiencing similar workforce issues.

Partners:

• Queensland Social Enterprise Council
• Social Traders
• CQUniversity
• Queensland Indigenous Business Network (QIBN)
• Women in Mining and Resources Queensland (WIMARQ).

Organisation: Queensland Shelter Incorporated
Project name: Housing and Homelessness Industry Futures
Industry focus: Health and community services
Delivery location: State-wide

Overview: This project aims to develop and deliver a wellbeing framework to support the attraction and retention of the housing and homelessness workforce in Queensland, develop resources to support the promotion of employment opportunities in the housing and homelessness workforce, and investigate a certificate qualification to support entry of people with lived experience of housing need and homelessness into the sector.

Partners:

• Queensland Youth Housing Coalition
• Council for Homeless Persons
• Community Services Industry Alliance (CSIA).

Organisation: Regional Development Australia Darling Downs and South West Inc
Project name: YES (Youth Employer Success) Experiences with Work Matching Service
Industry focus: Multiple
Delivery location: Darling Downs South West

Overview: This project will build and operate a digital online platform called Youth Employer Success (YES) that matches job seekers to a wide variety of 'experiences with work'. The platform is a self-service tool that will provide an easy avenue for employers to offer a range of free, employment-based activities to engage and link job seekers to employers across the Darling Downs South West region in multiple industry sectors.

Partners: Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise existing network of industry and employer stakeholders.

Organisation: Screen Queensland Pty Ltd
Project name: Film Intensive Script to Screen (FISS) Program
Industry focus: Arts and entertainment and tourism
Delivery locations: Far North Queensland and North Queensland

Overview: This project targets the North and Far North Queensland regions with a focus on attracting and retaining school leavers, early career screen practitioners and First Nations artists into the film industry and build a new workforce in regional Queensland.

This project will attract, motivate, and inspire new filmmakers through:

• a screen industry expo
• virtual experiences
• shadow filming
• job readiness skills
• individual short-film creation to support CVs
• database development to provide mental health support to anyone in the industry
• creating a local filmmakers network.

Partners:

• Essential Screen Skills
• Screen Well
• National Indigenous Television
• Business Liaison Association and Screen Queensland
• Image Room
• Lone Star Productions
• Film Crew NQ
• Wirrim Media
• Kite Fish Film
• CQUniversity (CQU)
• Australian Cinematographers Society
• Screen Producers Association
• Australian Screen Sound Guild
• Australian Writers Guild
• Queensland Writers Guild.

Organisation: The Australian Retailers Association (ARA)
Project name: Retail Ready and Able
Industry focus: Retail and personal services and business
Delivery location: State-wide

Overview: This project aims to address the stigmas, and shift mindsets among small to medium sized retailers surrounding people with disability. The ARA will engage with employers and deliver comprehensive education and awareness programs, including webinars and other online resources, and develop a practical toolkit for employers. ARA will partner with DES providers and provide pre-employment support and training to job seekers with disability with post-placement support available for both employers and employees.

Partners:

• Disability Employment Australia
• Multicap
• Advanced Personnel Management (APM)
• Queensland University of Technology (QUT).

Organisation: Timber Queensland Limited
Project name: Canopy – Queensland's forest and timber industry training and careers hub
Industry focus: Agriculture and horticulture, manufacturing and engineering
Delivery locations: Wide Bay, Moreton Bay, Central Queensland and Far North Queensland

Overview: This project aims to implement a dedicated Queensland forest and timber industry training and career hub, 'Canopy'. This hub will bring together industry, community, employers, training providers and employment agencies to deliver training and career education programs and work experience opportunities targeted at school leavers, the unemployed and existing staff looking to upskill or retrain.

Partners:

• Australian Agroforestry Foundation via Native Conifers Carbon Sink & Private Forestry Service Queensland
• ABC Training
• HQP Plantations
• Ashers Enterprises
• Sunchip Group
• Timber Training Creswick
• Max Employment.

Last updated 25 October 2024