Futures Forum

Connecting students with industry, government, and training providers to explore the jobs of tomorrow on the Redlands Coast.

What Is Futures Forum?

The Futures Forum is a key annual event hosted by the Redlands Coast Regional Jobs Committee to bring together students, educators, employers, government, and community leaders.

The forum helps:

Why It Matters on the Redlands Coast?

With billions of dollars in investment shaping our region, the Futures Forum explores how these opportunities can translate into meaningful jobs for young people. It highlights that preparing a future-ready workforce requires collaboration between schools, businesses, government, and the community.

By taking part, attendees:

Event Videos

Watch highlights from past Futures Forums and see how the event is inspiring the next generation of the Redlands Coast workforce.

2025 Redlands Coast Futures Forum – Redlands Sustainable Future

The Redlands Futures Forum opened students’ minds to emerging careers, cutting-edge innovation and real industry insights. A dynamic, future-focused experience that broadened horizons, sparked curiosity and highlighted the skills shaping tomorrow’s opportunities across the Redlands Coast.

2023 Redlands Coast Futures Forum

Students engage directly with industry, gaining meaningful workplace exposure, career insights and real connections, highlighting the diverse opportunities, hands-on learning and community collaboration shaping future workforce pathways across the Redlands Coast.

Forum Highlights

Discover how the 2025 Futures Forum brought students, educators, and industry together to explore the jobs of tomorrow.

Read about the key insights shared, the opportunities highlighted, the inspiration driving a future-ready Redlands Coast, and check out the Forum Photos.

Guest Expert Talks

Hear directly from the guest speakers and industry leaders who joined the Futures Forum 2025. These talks share their insights on the Redlands Coast’s future workforce, opportunities for young people, and the role we all play in building a stronger region.

Tina Pholi, Industry Workforce Advisor – Manufacturing Skills Queensland

Tina Pholi highlights the real opportunities shaping modern manufacturing, breaking old stereotypes and showcasing the innovation, career pathways and growth happening across Queensland. A sharp, future-focused look at why manufacturing matters for the next generation.

Nasir Chowdhury, Procurement Manager – Golden Cockerel

A proud Mount Cotton local, he shares how Golden Cockerel powers Queensland with premium protein while driving innovation, career opportunities and leading sustainability. From tech driven processing to green initiatives, he shows students the future of food is smarter and cleaner.

Michael Mrowka, founder and owner of REA Global, REA Solar, and Renewable Engineering Australia

Michael Mrowka shares his journey from Alexandra Hills State High student to founder of REA, leading breakthroughs in safer solar technology and next-generation battery storage while championing renewable energy, innovation and a future powered by sustainable, accessible solutions.

Chris Vize, City Plan Review Project Coordinator – Redland City Council

Chris Vize brings town planning to life through an engaging journey with “Jane,” showing how thoughtful design shapes vibrant, accessible communities across every life stage. He highlights why planning matters and invites young people to help shape Redlands’ future.

Dr Stefan Hajkowicz, Research Consultant, Analytics and Decision Sciences – CSIRO

Dr Stefan Hajkowicz is a CSIRO strategist and global megatrends expert. A leading voice in foresight, AI and digital change, he guides governments and industries to prepare for future challenges and seize emerging opportunities.

The Honourable Amanda Stoker MP

Amanda Stoker MP, representing Minister Rosslyn Bates, brings deep legal and government experience. A former Senator and seasoned barrister, she champions economic growth, strong governance and building a skilled Queensland workforce for the future.

Shaping the Workforce of Tomorrow

At the heart of the 2025 Futures Forum was a strong focus on sustainability, exploring how green industries, clean technologies, and innovation are shaping the jobs of tomorrow. Students discovered how emerging sectors such as renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, robotics, and environmental science are transforming the Redlands Coast, and the skills needed to thrive in a low-carbon future.

Articles & Information

Explore stories and insights from the Futures Forum, along with articles that support school-to-work transitions, career pathways, and future skills.

How the RJC Helps Schools & Training

Who Is the Redlands Regional Jobs Committee?

Top 5 Follow-Up Tips to Land That Job

Your Future in Hospitality, Tourism & Events: 7 Insider Tips From Redlands Industry Leaders

Transdev Partners with Redlands Regional Jobs Committee

Tony’s top tip for young jobseekers in the trade industry

The Journey of Career Exploration

Student Success Stories: How Offering Work Experience Opportunities Can Benefit Your Business

School-to-Work Programs: Building Your Future Workforce One Student at a Time

Simple tips for creating a killer resume

Useful Links

Access further reading and information about regional workforce planning, investment projects, and career pathways.

School Leavers 2024 : Information Kit

Your guide to education, training and work.

VET in Schools

Gateway to Industry Schools program | Department of Employment, Small Business and Training

Australian Government: The Jobs and Skills Atlas

School leaver 2025: Guide to Jobs and Training

Find your apprentice

Information for jobseekers

Find jobs and training support programs

School-based apprenticeships and traineeships | Education and training | Queensland Government

School to Work Transitions program | Department of Employment, Small Business and Training

Work experience agreement form

Work experience placements for school students procedure

School to work

Futures Forum | Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce

School leavers resource eKit: Services Australia

School Leaver Information Kit 2024: Your Career, What’s next for you? Your guide to education, training and work 2024.

Apprenticeships and traineeships

Everything you need to know about Apprenticeships, including starting and managing an apprenticeship/traineeship, funding, incentives, support and links to lots of other resources.

Australian Government – National Careers Institute: My Skills

My Skills My Skills is Australia’s directory of training. It includes information on training for school leavers, students, apprentices and employers.

Queensland Government: Free and subsidised training

Free and subsidised training Explore funded courses and check your eligibility for subsidised training opportunities.

Queensland Government: Training Subsidies and Incentives

Training Subsidies and Incentives provides a summary of Government training subsidies and incentive programs.

Queensland Government: Skills Gateway

Skills Gateway Provides access to information on vocational education and training available across Queensland. Search Queensland Skills Gateway for course offerings, training provider information and eligibility criteria. Once you have found a course of interest, click on ‘View Providers’ for a full list of RTO’s that deliver that course. Note: The map will show you the address for the training providers head office, however won’t show you their delivery locations.

Work experience placements for school students – Frequently asked questions

Australian Skills Quality Authority: Choosing a Training Provider

What you need to know before enrolling in a course and suggested questions to ask providers to help pick the right training provider for you.

OpenLearn

OpenLearn is Open Universities FREE online short courses, with thousands of course to choose from.