Gold Coast Regional Jobs Committee

22/10/2026

🌐Gold Coast Small and Family Businesses - curious about which AI tools could actually save you time without putting your client data at risk?🌐

Join the Industry Workforce Advisors for a FREE AI and Cyber workshop to explore practical ways AI can help reduce everyday workloads and simple steps to strengthen your cyber defences.

Event Details:
📆Thursday 5 November
📍TRYP by Wyndham, Southport
🕧12:30-3:30pm

Reserve your spot HERE➡️ https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=Ca_clr2qBUeByeo0Z7Wj3875ngH4pTVHthv7UvJNGcRUMENEREVMVkpNTUFPQk1RTzA0MzMwRlNXTy4u&origin=lprLink&route=shorturl

19/10/2026

First Week, new role!

Kicked it off meeting with Glenn Raine and Andrew McPhan from Tafe Queensland Robina Campus. Amongst other collaborative plans, they were kind enough to invite me to the Service and Creative Skills Australia (SaCSA) - Shaping the future of the culinary workforce; an outcome driven and structured discussion forum solving workforce issues for the hospitality space.

Attraction, Engagement and Retention, (A,E,&R) 3 words (now letters) that simplify the objectives when serving industries with major skill shortages - How do we ignite interest in a career in the culinary sector and how can schools, industry/employers, RTO's, GTO's and industry bodies work together in the same direction to AE&R?

The forum adopted a solutions based approach, thinking big and bold and with the ideas workshopped to be analysed and tabled at federal level. The change agent to overhaul qualifications and create efficiencies in solving major workforce issues.

Working together is the key to getting more people into the growing industries here on the Gold Coast.

Thanks to all for having me and great meeting you all - a lot of take aways for me!

Glenn Raine Andrew McPhan Robert Petherbridge Kylie Fletcher Taryn Hughes Jason Sugars Katrina Higham Terry Patriarca Kylie Hall Linda Whyte Lisa Hansen-Burns Simon Hislop

A lot can be achieved through having the right people in the room working together outside the room where the rubber meets the road. hashtag # RTO hashtag - hashtag

A term that has come up a bit lately and I like it - "Leave your brand at the door"

Does it come from the saying.. "leave your ego at the door" I'm assuming so...... and "solve a collective problem with a collective approach". (that one comes from common sense)

That's enough long sentences from me this week, but thanks to all of those who have welcomed me aboard the Gold Coast Regional Jobs Committee - and to those new faces I've met this week.

I look forward to contributing to our other priority industries along the same lines and and collaborating to put solutions in place with other thriving industries on the Gold Coast;

The Marine Industry, Health Sector, Manufacturing and Construction.

Department of Trade, Employment and Training TAFE Queensland RDA Gold Coast East Coast Apprenticeships

14/10/2026

🎉 Please Welcome Nick Smith as the New Project Manager of the Gold Coast Regional Jobs Committee!🎉

Nick brings extensive experience across the housing and construction sectors, workforce development, training, business development and stakeholder engagement.

His strong relationships across industry, government, training organisations and the broader Gold Coast business community will be a valuable asset to the RJC’s ongoing work to support regional workforce development.

Most recently, Nick served as Area Manager for the Housing Industry Association (HIA), covering the Gold Coast and Northern Rivers. During his 14 months in the role, he worked closely with industry, City of Gold Coast, QBCC, funding bodies, TAFE and Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), while overseeing partnerships, events, apprenticeships and membership activities.

Nick also brings more than eight years of experience in workforce development and training through his work with Gold Coast Trades College and Queensland Trades College. During this time, he collaborated with employers, apprentices, schools, training organisations and industry to develop pathways into employment and strengthen workforce outcomes.

👏We are delighted to welcome Nick to the team and look forward to the valuable expertise and leadership he will bring to the Gold Coast Regional Jobs Committee.

Got a question or would like to know more? Contact Nick on:
📞 0410 629 964
📧 [email protected]

30/09/2026

🛠️Fully Funded Leadership Training for Queensland Manufacturers🛠️

Australian Industry Group, in partnership with Manufacturing Skills Queensland, is offering fully funded leadership training for eligible Queensland manufacturing businesses and employees.

The Supervisor Effectiveness program is designed specifically to support supervisors, leading hands and frontline managers in the manufacturing sector to strengthen their leadership capabilities and improve team and operational performance.

This practical, one-day workshop covers:
🔹 Effective frontline leadership
🔹 Change management
🔹 Continuous improvement
🔹 Team performance
🔹 Operational excellence

Workshop Details
📅Tuesday, 10 November 2026
🕘9.00am – 4.30pm
📍Surf Club Burleigh Heads
🎟️Register: https://www.australianindustrygroup.com.au/store/events/manufacturing-skills-queensland---excellence-series---supervisor-effectiveness10/

This one-day, face-to-face program equips supervisors, leading hands, and frontline managers with the essential leadership, change management, and continuous improvement skills required to drive team performance and operational excellence.   The course is highly practical.

23/09/2026

🌏Take Your Education and Training Programs Global🌏

The Study Queensland Adapt to Thrive Grant Program provides funding of up to $20,000 to help eligible Queensland international education and training (IET) providers diversify and pursue new global opportunities.

The program supports projects that diversify markets, program delivery models and revenue streams, helping providers innovate and compete in a changing global market.

Funding is available for initiatives that expand into new international markets, establish or expand transnational education (TNE) partnerships, develop study tour pipelines, and adapt programs and delivery models for overseas markets.

📝Applications close Friday, 9 October 2026, 1.00pm AEST

For more information or to apply, visit➡️ https://www.tiq.qld.gov.au/export/grants-and-assistance/adapt-to-thrive-grant

16/09/2026

🌟Shining a light on women apprentices in the manufacturing workforce🌟

Nominations are now open for the Women in Manufacturing Apprentice Awards 2027!

The statewide awards recognise women apprentices who demonstrate leadership potential, initiative, effective communication skills and a commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace culture.

The awards have 2 prize categories:
👩‍🔧Women in Manufacturing Leading Apprentice Award 2027 ($10,000)
👩‍🔧Women in Manufacturing Highly Commended Apprentice Award 2027 ($5,000), sponsored by Manufacturing Skills Queensland

📆Nominations close on 9 October 2026

For more information or to nominate, visit➡️ https://www.nrmmrrd.qld.gov.au/manufacturing/women-in-manufacturing/apprentice-awards

07/09/2026

🌏 Free investment readiness program opens for Gold Coast businesses🌏

Trade and Investment Queensland's Investment Ready Queensland program, commencing in early September 2026, will provide practical guidance for businesses exploring investment opportunities from domestic or international sources.

The free program is open to Queensland businesses of all sizes and is designed to help participants build the capability to navigate the investment journey with clarity and confidence.

Across three practical sessions, participants will gain valuable insights into what investors look for, how investment transactions work and what it takes to build credibility and confidence when seeking capital. ✍️💰

Module Date Details:
Module 1: Wednesday 9 September, 9.00am – 1.00pm
Module 2: Wednesday 30 September, 9.00am – 1.00pm
Module 3: Wednesday 21 October, 9.00am – 1.00pm

Register for the first three Investment Ready Queensland modules➡️ https://www.tiq.qld.gov.au/exporter-academy/investment-ready-queensland-program

See the full suite of Queensland Exporter Academy courses here➡️ https://www.tiq.qld.gov.au/exporter-academy/resource-hub

25/08/2026

Want to ensure smooth contract delivery to help win ongoing business?

Growing Queensland is hosting an Effective Contract Delivery webinar to help businesses strengthen their contract management practices and avoid common pitfalls.

During the webinar, you’ll learn how to:
✍️Conduct the critical contract checks you need to make before signing
✍️Implement processes to monitor and track contract delivery performance
✍️Avoid common mistakes that can impact successful contract delivery

Webinar Details:
📆Wednesday, 2 September 2026
🕙10.00am – 11.30am
💰$25.00

🎟️Register: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/effective-contract-delivery-webinar-tickets-1763172479349?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

11/08/2026

RDA Gold Coast and the Gold Coast Regional Jobs Committee extend their sincere thanks to Shane Thomson as he retires from his role as Project Manager.

Shane has made valid contributions to advancing workforce development across the Gold Coast, working collaboratively with industry, government, education and community stakeholders to support initiatives that strengthen the region's workforce and employment outcomes. 📝🤝

His professionalism, commitment and collaborative approach have been greatly appreciated, and his contributions have supported the ongoing work of the Gold Coast Regional Jobs Committee.

We thank Shane for his service and wish him every success, good health and happiness as he embarks on this well-deserved retirement. 👏

22/07/2026

🌧️Is your business prepared for the unexpected?🌧️

ConnectedLE, alongside the City of Gold Coast, is hosting a FREE Building Business Resilience Forum: Disaster Preparedness.

This practical forum is designed to help local businesses strengthen resilience, plan ahead and feel more confident about responding to disruption.

What to expect:
☔Lived experience Q&A panel with local business owners sharing real stories and lessons learned
☔Expert Q&A with recovery, emergency management and business support professionals
☔Business Continuity Planning workshop to help you build or refine your plan
☔Networking with fellow business owners and local support services
☔Complimentary canapés and drinks in a relaxed waterfront setting

Event Details:
📅Thursday, 23 July 2026
🕔5.00pm – 7.00pm
📍Southport Yacht Club, Main Beach
🎟️Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/business-disaster-resilience-forum-tickets-1989880920399

Whether you’re just getting started or looking to refine your approach, you’ll walk away with more tools in your toolkit to help your business respond, adapt, and bounce back.