An ambitious plan to draw hundreds of workers to two critical Far North industries has been revealed ahead of our Future Cairns event.
A new Jobs Queensland workforce plan has mapped out a strategy to attract an extra 538 workers to the aviation sector by the end of the 2025-26 FY, marking an increase of 21 per cent on 2021/22 levels.
Another 873 new jobs in the maritime and marine industry will also be sought in the same period, to grow that workforce by 7.8 per cent over the same time period.
Both industries have been identified as critical in the region’s efforts to position Cairns as the Gateway to the Pacific and strengthen ties with our nearest international neighbours.
Expansions to the Cairns Marine Precinct and common user facility are expected to pave the way for more than 800 new jobs in the sector by mid-2026. Picture: Brendan Radke
But the capacity to build local workforces is also crucial to boosting the tropical north’s population, which is currently on track to grow by just 4.6 per cent over the next two years – almost half the rate of the state’s projected population growth.
Meeting future skills needs, improving attraction and retention plus enhancing training system management are among the Cairns Region Workforce Development Plan’s key priorities.
The plan also aims to see both industries build on business capability and develop cross-sector work mobility, meaning workers could move between aviation and maritime jobs depending on seasonal factors.
Cairns MP Michael Healy. Picture: Brendan Radke
Cairns MP Michael Healy said the opportunities both industries presented proved Cairns was “more than just a tourist hotspot”.
“It’s a place where people want to live, work and raise their families … this plan is all about making sure locals can get good sustainable jobs without having to leave paradise,” he said.
“Our aviation, maritime, and marine industries are an essential lifeblood of our local economy so it’s fantastic to see stakeholders and local industries working hand-in-hand to secure a brighter future for our local workforce.”
The plan maps out 37 strategies to achieve the ambitious jobs growth targets, which include making more studies and training available locally and drawing school leavers to both industries.
Aviation Australia business manager Chris Pigott in the Hawkers Pacific Avionics hanger. Picture: Brendan Radke
Cairns Aviation Skills Centre business manager Chris Pigott said the aviation and maritime industries have common skill needs.
“This workforce plan will be game changing for us – we now have clear industry-endorsed actions and will partner with government to address some longstanding issues,” he said.
The new plan also supports the Cairns Marine and Maritime Careers Day on June 8 and the Cairns Airport Careers Day on August 25.
Future Cairns will explore these opportunities and more, with an event proudly supported by Cairns Airport, James Cook University, Crystalbrook Collection Cairns, Ports North and NORSTA Maritime.
It will be held on Friday June 14, 11.30am to 2.30pm, in the Plenary Room at the Cairns Convention Centre.
Tickets can be booked at futurecairns2024.splashthat.com and cost $150 per person or $1350 for a table of ten.
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