Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce
THE Redlands Regional Jobs Committee (RJC), funded by the Queensland Government, celebrated a successful day of collaboration during its recent Southern Moreton Bay Islands (SMBI) excursion.
Thirteen RJC members and ambassadors joined the visit, which was hosted and facilitated by the SMBI Chamber of Commerce.
About 20 local SMBI businesses participated in a dedicated SMBI Jobs and Skills Roundtable, creating a wonderful environment for sharing insights and developing practical solutions for future progression and advocacy.
The event provided a valuable opportunity to explore ways of boosting employment, training, and skill development for the island community.
Participants discussed innovative strategies to strengthen job pathways and reduce barriers for employers and job seekers alike.
Several key ideas emerged during the roundtable.
Among the standout proposals were on-island training days in areas such as hospitality, construction, and administration, ensuring residents can access qualifications without leaving the islands.
Suggestions also included allowing more young people to gain work experience through “try-before-you-buy” placements in SMBI businesses that could lead to boosting school-based apprenticeships and traineeships.
A group training model was also suggested to share apprenticeship responsibilities across multiple employers and lower employer commitments.
Connectivity and support were recurring themes.
A co-learning hub with reliable wi-fi was proposed to provide a space for training and mentoring, while a near-island training node at Victoria Point or Cleveland could facilitate blended learning.
Consolidating a skills-demand calendar to form Registered Training Organisation (RTO) cohorts of 10-15 learners would help match training with real industry needs.
Other important ideas included soft-skills refreshers, the creation of an industry mentor roster, and advocacy to
mprove transport capacity and digital access – both critical to workforce development.
The excursion highlighted the strong commitment of local leaders and businesses to unlocking economic opportunities on the SMBI for the SMBI community.
With collaboration between the chambers (Redlands Coast and SMBI), employers, and training providers, these initiatives could pave the way for a more connected and skilled island workforce, providing significant community benefits.
