Regional Skills Investment Strategy

The Regional Skills Investment Strategy (RSIS) is a $9 million initiative funded over 4 years that supports selected regional communities to identify current and emerging jobs in key industries and ensure there is a supply of skilled local people to meet this demand.

RSIS will bridge the gap between existing training opportunities provided through the Queensland Government's VET investment programs and current workforce skill needs in targeted regions.

The Department of Employment, Small Business and Training (DESBT) will support 17 RSIS projects over 4 years. The following table lists all approved RSIS projects.

How does it work?

Selected host agencies will deliver RSIS projects throughout Queensland. The funded agency will appoint an RSIS project coordinator to collaborate with local industry and other relevant stakeholders to explore skills gaps and identify barriers to training. The coordinator will then work with the department to identify suitable training pathways and strategies to address gaps in local service delivery.

How are regions chosen?

Regional communities are identified by the RSIS Advisory Committee, which comprises representatives from the department, Jobs Queensland, the Local Government Association of Queensland and the Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning.

The committee utilises economic and labour market data and local intelligence specific to each region and community to make recommendations and determinations regarding priority areas.

How are host agencies chosen?

The department, in collaboration with the RSIS Advisory Committee, identifies suitable host agencies that can deliver RSIS projects. Host agencies can include local government authorities and economic development organisations.

How are target industries chosen?

As part of the initial consultation and planning, the host agency identifies up to 3 key industry sectors in the local economy as the focus of each project. This ensures broad engagement across these sectors and enables effective training solutions are designed to support job outcomes.

What funding is available?

RSIS projects are funded up to a maximum of $350,000 (plus GST) over 2 years.

What assistance will be provided?

RSIS will provide funding to host agencies to employ an RSIS project coordinator, cover promotional, engagement and administration activities, as well as facilitate implementation of local training solutions identified as part of the project.

Each host agency will be tasked with establishing a local reference group whose purpose is industry-specific engagement that will:

• promote and tailor existing vocational education and training (VET) investment opportunities to better link individuals to local training and employment opportunities
• improve alignment of training solutions with local workforce needs
• expand VET engagement in regional communities by targeting employer participation in vocational training
• identify gaps in service delivery and develop regional training opportunities to address local training needs.

How will training be funded?

Where the training to be provided is nationally recognised, the RSIS project will link with an approved Skills Assure supplier (SAS) to access subsidies already available under the VET Investment budget. Note that co-contribution fees apply for any training activity that typically attracts a fee under normal arrangements, and these will be determined by a SAS or as negotiated through the RSIS project.

If the training is not currently subsidised under the plan, the department will explore further avenues to enable individuals to access the training needed.

If the training to be provided to workers is industry-recognised or non-accredited, the RSIS project will fund the training through an appropriate provider.

What outcomes are expected?

Project outcomes will vary based on local economic conditions and labour market opportunities, and will be determined by the department and local reference groups established for each project.

It is anticipated that RSIS project milestones will include determining local skills priorities (e.g. industry, location, target groups), establishing a local reference group and collaborative networks, identifying skills and workforce challenges, and partnering with the department to develop effective training solutions.

In addition to specific training outcomes, a legacy from RSIS projects is expected to be collaborative industry networks, and increased awareness of supports available under the VET Investment budget.

More information

For more information on RSIS, contact the RSIS team at RSIS@desbt.qld.gov.au.

Last updated 17 August 2021