The Skills Formation Strategy is a partnership between the Queensland Seafood Industry Association and the Queensland Government to enhance industry capability through industry-led workforce strategies for the future growth of the industry.
Purpose of the Strategy
The Department of Education and Training launched the Skills Formation Strategy initiative as a mechanism for government to partner with key industry stakeholders to address industry difficulties through active participation in workforce planning and development.
Scope of the Strategy
The initial phase has been funded for two years and will initially encompass and identify developmental and planning issues from the Gold Coast through to the Sunshine Coast. It will involve those involved in the catching, processing, selling and distribution of Queensland seafood.
A Strategy for the Industry
Initial research suggests that skills shortages within the sector, like many other industries, are not simply due to insufficient training. Other issues include:
- A lack of structured career paths in some occupations
- The nature of some jobs offered in the industry
- Some aspects of work not being compatible with desired lifestyles
- Heavily legislated industry
- Attractiveness’ to potential employees
How Skills Formation Strategy will assist the Seafood Industry
- To provide a forum within which industry, community and government can collectively plan and foster workforce development to strengthen the Queensland seafood industry.
- Formation of an Industry Champions Group to work with government departments, registered training providers and other industry leaders to provide industry led planning and workforce management strategies.
- Industry wide collaboration and consultation on developmental and industry capability issues.Identification of the challenges facing the Queensland seafood industry from the perspective of industry skilling, funding and relevancy and provide industry led solutions.
Timeline
The Skills Formation Strategy commenced in commenced in March 2010 with the appointment of Mike Wainman to the position of Queensland Seafood Industry Association (QSIA) Project Manager to oversee the seafood industry skills formation. This position is funded jointly for two years with the Department of Education and Training and the QSIA.
