What’s Happening?
Industry engagement has been strengthened in Townsville through a regional roundtable and several targeted site visits.
David Forbes, Regional Industry Engagement Manager, and Anna Jerrems, Maritime Industry Engagement Manager, recently travelled to Townsville for the visit.
The trip gave both managers a chance to meet directly with organisations supporting workforce development and industry growth.
“Spending time on the ground in regions like Townsville is critical,” David Forbes said.
“It allows us to hear directly from industry and partners about what’s working, where the challenges are, and how we can better support a sustainable workforce.”
The regional roundtable was hosted by Regional Development Australia Townsville & North West Queensland.
Regional Development Australia (RDA) Townsville & North West Queensland plays a key role in supporting sustainable economic development through regional collaboration.
The organisation has also built a strong network of transport supply chain stakeholders across the region.
Why It Matters
Townsville’s workforce needs are closely linked to transport, aviation, maritime, education and local employment services.
The visit allowed David and Anna to hear directly from employers and workforce partners.
It also gave them a clearer view of current skills needs and long-term workforce pressures.
The meetings showed how local businesses, training providers and employment networks can work together.
That collaboration is central to building stronger job pathways for young people, job seekers and employers.
By the Numbers
- 2025 was the year Careers in Gears was established to address ageing workforce challenges in transport.
- Two industry engagement managers travelled to Townsville, bringing regional and maritime workforce perspectives together.
- Four organisations were part of the visit, including RDA Townsville & North West Queensland, Workforce Australia – Local Jobs, Townsville Helicopters and Oakdare Holdings.
Local Impact
The visit focused on practical workforce pathways for Townsville and North Queensland.
David and Anna met with Workforce Australia – Local Jobs and Job Coordinator Steph Nicolaou.
The discussion covered local employment pathways, regional workforce priorities and local jobs taskforces.
It also looked at support services available to job seekers and employers across the region.
These discussions matter for local workers seeking clear entry points into regional industries.
They also matter for employers trying to find and retain the right people.
Zoom In
Townsville Helicopters was one of the local businesses visited during the trip.
The company provides helicopter pilot training and aviation services in the region.
David and Anna toured the facility, saw operations firsthand and learned about its pilot training programs.
They also heard more about aviation career pathways available locally.
“Townsville Helicopters is a great example of how regional businesses are creating specialised, high-skill career pathways locally,” David said.
“It highlights the extent of opportunities available across the aviation and transport sectors.”
The team also visited Oakdare Holdings, a Queensland-based business specialising in bulk haulage services.
During the visit, they met Tayla Connolly, who plays a leading role within Oakdare Holdings.
Tayla is also the founder of Careers in Gears.
Careers in Gears connects North Queensland students with real career opportunities in the transport industry.
The program delivers interactive school presentations, workshops and industry tours.
It gives students direct exposure to the roles that keep the transport sector moving.
“Industry-led initiatives like Careers in Gears show what’s possible when businesses take an active role in shaping their future workforce,” David said.
“Early engagement with students is key to building long-term workforce pipelines.”
Zoom Out
The Townsville visit showed how regional workforce challenges need local input.
It also showed how transport, aviation and employment services are linked through shared skills needs.
Industry-led programs can help young people see career options earlier.
At the same time, employment services can support job seekers and employers with practical pathways.
Together, those links can help strengthen regional employment pipelines.
What To Look For Next?
The insights gathered in Townsville are expected to help guide future industry engagement across the region.
Further collaboration between industry, education and employment networks could support stronger skills planning across multiple sectors.
