Advancing regional skills a priority for Council

21 January 2021

The Regional Skills Investment Strategy (RSIS) implemented on the Southern Downs in November 2018 has now been extended until June 2021.

 Funded by the Queensland Government, the project is a working partnership between Southern Downs Regional Council and the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training (DESBT) to identify the local skill gaps and job demands.  The project currently targets three sectors:  food manufacturing, tourism, and health and aged care and strongly focuses on industry reference groups to provide feedback around the training needs on the Southern Downs.

Southern Downs Mayor Vic Pennisi said the extension of the strategy would bolster economic and employment opportunities for industry and residents across the region.

“The Southern Downs is a great place to live, work, rest and play and we need our young people to feel like they have a future right here at home. We value the contribution our young people make now, and I look forward to role they will play in the growth and prosperity of our region,” said Mayor Vic Pennisi.

“It is crucial that we not only attract new industries to the Southern Downs region, but show that we have a community that is skilled, capable and ready to support those industries.”

The Food Manufacturing Reference Group, comprising of local employers, Council and DESBT representatives, met in December 2020 and feedback indicates that there is a need for skills development in the areas of food processing, leadership/supervisory training and information technology.

The main focus of the RSIS project is to engage with industry to ascertain if the Vocational Education and Training (VET) system is meeting their current and future needs, including local support industry demand for skills training as well as the need to better promote career paths and opportunities available in the area.

The program further aims to provide feedback to DESBT regarding improvements to the current VET system.

As a result of the industry reference group feedback, Council will now engage local high schools to discuss potential VET training opportunities for students, matched with local employers to provide pathways into local industries.

The next reference group meeting for tourism and health and aged care is scheduled for February 2021. For further information please contact the RSIS Project Coordinator on 0436 633 869.