MEDIA STATEMENT: Fresh look for Manufacturing Skills Queensland to fix Labor's skills shortage 

Fresh look for Manufacturing Skills Queensland to fix Labor's skills shortage

• Manufacturing Skills Queensland to enter new era focused on backing the industry and reversing Labor’s skills shortage. 
• Incoming directors bring expertise in governance and commerce.
• Manufacturing workforce set to benefit through groundbreaking opportunities to upskill and train at TAFE Centre of Excellence and satellite precincts in regional Queensland.  

The Crisafulli Government is delivering a fresh look for Manufacturing Skills Queensland to back Queensland's manufacturing workforce and take action to tackle Labor's skills shortage. 

The independent skills and training organisation will be overseen by a renewed board which will include industry experts with strong manufacturing, governance and financial viability experience. 

The board will be led by April Cavanagh – an experienced Non-Executive Director and current Chair of Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise.  

Ms Cavanagh started her career in the manufacturing industry and has since held executive roles in finance, technology and agribusiness. 

Supporting Ms Cavanagh will be directors Michael Ross Bonanno, Jake Gundry, Fiona McDonnell and Natalie Rogers, in addition to two Government representatives. 

The Crisafulli Government will maximise the true potential of the manufacturing industry – which employs 180,000 people across Queensland – by repairing the skills shortage caused by a decade of neglect from the former Labor Government.  

The changes on the Manufacturing Skills Queensland board follows the Crisafulli Government’s announcement of a new TAFE Centre of Excellence for Advanced Manufacturing in Moreton Bay to train the manufacturing, construction and trades workers needed in this rapidly growing area.

The commitment is part of the government’s $201.1 million plan for four new TAFE Centre of Excellence sites across Queensland, to help secure a pipeline of skilled workers for Queensland’s future. 

Minister for Finance, Trade, Training and Employment Ros Bates said the refreshed board presented new opportunities for the manufacturing industry. 

“We are fixing Labor’s widespread failures and a key component of that is putting the right people in the right positions, so I am very happy that April Cavanagh will be leading an experienced team,” Minister Bates said. 

ENDS 

MEDIA CONTACT:  Justin Armsden 0417 518 532 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:  

Manufacturing Skills Queensland works to attract, retain and develop the skills and capability of Queensland’s manufacturing sector. It does this through: 

• An Annual Training Plan (ATP), which in 2024–25 is delivering a $5.06 million investment in supporting the skills, training, diversity and leadership required for a future-focused manufacturing industry and workforce.
• Delivery of a range of programs to engage and support employers and the workforce to build a sustainable career in the manufacturing industry. This includes the procurement of training providers for delivery of quality training and qualifications.
• Delivery of a number of Queensland Government supported programs, including the Advanced Manufacturing Gateway to Industry Schools Program and the Industry Skills and Jobs Advisor for manufacturing and engineering.   

The new Manufacturing Skills Queensland Board includes the following directors: 

• Ms April Cavanagh (Director and Chair), Chair - Board of Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise (new director)
• Mr Michael Ross Bonanno, Owner and Managing Director - Callide Manufacturing Company (new director)
• Mr Jake Gundry, Chief Executive Officer - Australian Framing Solutions Pty Ltd (new director)
• Ms Fiona McDonnell, Group Manager Health, Safety and Environment – Hyne Timber (new director)
• Ms Natalie Rogers, Group Operations Manager – All Industries Group (new director)
• Ms Chantal Llora, Deputy Director-General (Engagement), Department of Trade, Employment and Training (new director)