New employer guide set to open doors for migrant engineers

• The engineering sector is experiencing nationwide skills and workforce shortages.
• People from migrant backgrounds with engineering qualifications are often not fully utilising their skills.
• The Queensland Government, in partnership with Engineers Australia and Consult Australia, developed Attracting and Retaining Engineers from Migrant Backgrounds: A Guide for Employers to help meet industry workforce shortages.
• The guide supports the Queensland Government’s approach to strengthening Queensland’s workforce through Good people. Good jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022-2032.

Queensland is on the hunt for skilled engineers to help fill available jobs and build a strong, diverse workforce.

Minister for Multicultural Affairs Leanne Linard today launched a new guide for employers to help address critical skill shortages in the state’s engineering sector, driven by significant investment in infrastructure and changing workforce demographics.

Attracting and Retaining Engineers from Migrant Backgrounds: A Guide for Employers was developed in partnership by the Queensland Government, Engineers Australia and Consult Australia.

Queensland is already experiencing one of its tightest labour markets, with the situation set to persist due to predicted economic growth and demand for skilled employees.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Multicultural Affairs Leanne Linard:

“Engineering, like many professions, continues to face significant nationwide labour and skills shortages,” Ms Linard said.

“We know there are many highly skilled Queenslanders from culturally and diverse backgrounds who, for a range of reasons, are not currently working in their field.

“This guide is focused on supporting employers to attract, and importantly retain and support engineers from migrant backgrounds living in Queensland or those who are willing to move interstate to help fill these gaps.

“We want to break down barriers by providing practical tips, advice and information for employers so they can better access the incredible pool of skills and knowledge available right here in Queensland.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer:

“Our Good people. Good jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022-2032 aims to connect Queenslanders with the work they want, and support employers to grow a more diverse workforce that can meet current and future workforce demands,” Minister Farmer said.

“Queenslanders from migrant and refugee backgrounds with engineering qualifications and skills can make significant contributions to businesses and can be part of the solution to workforce shortages currently being faced across the sector. 

“It is critical we access all talent pools to meet industry workforce needs, and I’m excited that through this partnership we will see people with the right skills in the right job which is at the heart of any thriving Queensland industry.

“We know that jobs change lives and this partnership is not only supporting the state’s workforce and economy – it’s supporting our migrant communities to find meaningful work and a bright future here in Queensland.”

Quotes attributable to Engineers Australia General Manager Stacey Rawlings:

“The next decade is expected to bring significant investment in infrastructure projects and an ever-changing workforce demographic in Queensland,” Ms Rawlings said.

“We are proud to have partnered in the development of this guide which will support Queensland’s engineering sector to access local and global skills to meet the demands of today and long into the future,” she said. 

Quotes attributable to Consult Australia Queensland Manager Kristine Banks:

“This guide will help employers bridge the knowledge gap with practical strategies that will open doors to more skilled migrants who are not currently working in the occupation they are skilled in’,” Ms Banks said.

“We know there are increasing demands on our labour market – this tool will help us fill those gaps while proactively breaking barriers for our migrant communities.”    

Further information:

Attracting and Retaining Engineers from Migrant Backgrounds: A Guide for Employers can be found online at www.cyjma.qld.gov.au/dcsyw/multicultural-affairs/programs-initiatives/attracting-retaining-engineers-migrant-backgrounds-guide-employers.

 ENDS

Media contact: Scott Chandler (07) 3719 7339