Building a Future Workforce on the Redlands Coast

Building a strong and sustainable workforce on the Redlands Coast is becoming more complex, and more important, for local businesses and the broader community.

Understanding what is shaping workforce development across the region can help employers, educators and stakeholders make more informed decisions, identify opportunities and better prepare for future workforce needs.

Through ongoing engagement with industry, education providers and government, several key themes are emerging that are influencing how workforce challenges are being addressed across the Redlands Coast.

These themes provide a clear view of where workforce development is heading and what will be critical to supporting long-term outcomes for the region.

✔ Stronger partnerships are driving better outcomes

Workforce challenges are shared across industries and sectors. Collaboration between employers, education providers and government is helping to better align training, employment pathways and workforce initiatives.

This more connected approach is enabling solutions that are practical, locally relevant and better coordinated across the region.

✔ Skills development must align to industry needs

Ensuring training and education pathways reflect real workforce demand is critical. There is an increasing focus on aligning skills development with priority industries, helping to ensure people are prepared for available roles and future opportunities.

This alignment is essential to reducing skills gaps and supporting long-term workforce sustainability.

✔ Clearer pathways into employment are essential

Creating more visible and accessible pathways into employment is a growing priority. Strengthening connections between schools, training providers and employers is helping to improve transitions into work.

This is particularly important for supporting young people, career changers and those seeking new opportunities within the region.

✔ Workforce participation needs to be strengthened

Supporting more people to enter and remain in the workforce continues to be a key focus. This includes engaging under utilised workforce groups and addressing barriers that can limit participation.

Expanding participation will play a critical role in meeting workforce demand across the Redlands Coast.

✔ Employers need practical support and tools

Businesses are looking for practical ways to improve recruitment, retention and workforce planning. Access to tools, resources and local solutions, such as the Redlands Coast Jobs Hub and employer-focused initiatives, is supporting stronger workforce capability.

These supports help translate workforce challenges into actionable solutions.

✔ Workforce planning is becoming more coordinated

There is a clear shift towards longer-term, coordinated workforce planning across the Redlands Coast. Industry input is playing an important role in shaping priorities, informing initiatives and guiding decision-making.