Practical workforce insights for employers navigating today’s labour market on the Redlands Coast
The labour market across the Redlands Coast is continuing to tighten, with employers across multiple industries experiencing increasing pressure when it comes to attracting and retaining staff.
During Webinar 1 of the Redlands Coast Employer Webinar Series, local employers shared the workforce challenges they are currently facing, including skills shortages, limited applicant pools, retention pressures and changing workforce expectations.
This resource highlights key workforce realities discussed during the webinar and explores practical actions businesses can take in response.
✔ The Labour Market Has Shifted
Recruitment has changed significantly in recent years.
Employers are no longer only competing for customers, they are increasingly competing for workers. Across industries including healthcare, hospitality, education, construction and professional services, businesses are experiencing ongoing difficulty attracting experienced and qualified staff.
As discussed during the webinar, many businesses are still recruiting the same way they did several years ago, despite workforce expectations and labour market conditions changing significantly.
Today’s workforce is placing greater value on flexibility, workplace culture, career growth and employee experience.
✔ Employers Are Competing For Talent
In a tight labour market, candidates often have multiple employment opportunities available to them.
This means recruitment processes, communication and workplace reputation now play a much larger role in hiring outcomes. Slow recruitment processes, unclear communication or poor candidate experiences can lead to businesses losing quality candidates to competing employers.
Businesses are increasingly needing to think about how they position themselves as employers, not just how they advertise vacancies.
✔ Workforce Pressure Is Affecting Multiple Industries
During the webinar, employers across several industries shared similar workforce challenges.
These included:
- Difficulty attracting experienced staff
- Retaining employees long-term
- Limited applicant numbers
- Workforce shortages
- Skills gaps
- Transport and accessibility challenges
Workforce pressure is no longer isolated to one industry and is increasingly impacting businesses across the entire region.
✔ Retention Is Becoming Just As Important As Recruitment
Many employers participating in the webinar identified retention and workplace culture as major priorities.
Businesses are increasingly recognising the importance of creating supportive work environments, investing in training and development, and providing employees with clear pathways for growth.
Retaining good staff is becoming just as important as attracting them.
Understanding why employees leave can also provide valuable insight into workplace improvements and future workforce planning.
✔ Employers Are Expanding How They Recruit
Traditional recruitment methods are no longer delivering the same outcomes for many businesses.
Employers are increasingly exploring new ways to attract staff, including employee referrals, local jobs platforms, community connections and recruiting for transferable skills rather than relying only on direct industry experience.
Broadening recruitment approaches can help businesses access wider talent pools and improve long-term workforce sustainability.
✔ Workforce Planning Is Becoming Essential
Workforce challenges are becoming long-term business challenges.
Businesses are increasingly needing to think proactively about future workforce needs, succession planning, skills development and attraction strategies rather than only recruiting when vacancies arise.
Taking a longer-term approach to workforce planning can help businesses better respond to labour market pressure and future workforce demand.
✔ Local Workforce Support Is Available
The Redlands Regional Jobs Committee (RJC) continues to work with employers, educators and industry to support practical, employer-led workforce solutions across the region.
This includes employer resources, workforce initiatives, industry working groups, career pathway development and the Redlands Coast Jobs Hub, which helps connect employers with local talent through free recruitment tools and local job advertising.
Watch the Webinar Replay
Missed Webinar 1 or want to revisit the discussion?
Watch the replay of Redlands Workforce Reality: Recruiting in a Tight Labour Market to explore more practical workforce insights and strategies for local employers.
Access the webinar replay and employer resources:
The Redlands Regional Jobs Committee is proudly supported and funded by the Queensland Government.
