Employment, Training and Education

Person writing and highlighting on paper

Education and learning underpin the development of not only smart industry sectors but also Noosa's traditional sectors of retail, tourism and construction. The Economic Development Strategy aspires to build a culture of learning and skill development where knowledge is shared by a connected and skilled business community.

There is a range of programs available that can assist and subsidise your organisation's human resource needs, from training to employment.

Programs

  • The Workforce Recruitment and Retention Guide is designed as a resource for small business owners, managers and leaders who are responsible for employing and managing people. Our employees are the most valuable assets in our businesses, so it makes good sense to ensure the best recruitment and retention management practices are in place.

    Access the Guide here 

    Specifically designed for our local Noosa business community by Grange HR Consulting

  • Developed with the ATO, Fair Work Commission, Fair Work Ombudsman and Attorney-General’s Department, these resources are designed to provide clarity on the employment process, and confidently meet Australian laws. 

    • The Hiring employees checklist helps you understand the process of hiring, and the laws of employment.
    • The Employment contract tool helps you build a compliant contract, tailored to the needs of your business, in just 10 minutes. 

    Get started

  • Apprentices and trainees (including school-based) are an effective way to attract and recruit staff while maintaining and preserving the quality of your skills in your industry. There are a  number of incentives to assist employers who take on an Australian apprentice or trainee.

    More information

     

  • TAFE Queensland East Coast is the major vocational education provider for the Sunshine Coast. Campuses on the Sunshine Coast are in Nambour, Mooloolaba, Maroochydore and the Sunshine Coast Health Institute at Birtinya.

    Certificate and Diploma qualifications in a wide range of areas, including apprenticeships and trainee options. University pathways are also available.

    In 2023, there are approximately 37,000 fee free TAFE and vocational education and training places for Queenlanders.  Eligibility criteria apply.   More information

    TAFE Queensland website

  • Industry Workforce Advisors for Small Business 

    Working with an Industry Workforce Advisor can help you plan your workforce, find solutions to employment challenges, and connect with programs, incentives and funding opportunities. 

    More information

    Workforce Planning Connect

    Workforce Planning Connect is a suite of user-friendly resources designed to support small and medium-sized businesses to undertake workforce planning, regardless of their knowledge or experience.  This can help businesses  address their worker  shortage or any other staff related challenge.

    More information

  • QTIC endorsed micro-credentialing offers alternative skilling solutions that provide direct benefit to tourism and hospitality businesses and their workforce. The program aims to provide an opportunity to support changing workplaces by offering focused training in specific skills to better support employees and businesses.  Includes Accommodation, Attractions, Food & Beverage and Hospitality. 

    Micro-Credentialing 

  • The JobTrainer Fund supports job seekers, school leavers and young people to access the skills and training they need to find work, re-enter the labour market or explore new work opportunities available as Queensland’s economy recovers.

    How can employers participate?

    Employers can partner with a training provider pre-approved by the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training, known as a Skills Assure Supplier (SAS), to source potential workers with the skills and training needed to meet their workforce requirements.

    What training is available?

    A select number of qualifications and short courses currently in demand by industry are subsidised under JobTrainer. Additional qualifications and short courses may be added to the priority list based on ongoing industry advice on future job demand.

    To Read more, click here.

  • Workforce Australia  is a Federal Government recruitment service helping businesses to find staff at no cost. Businesses can advertise their jobs, search for candidates, and find tialored information for free.  Workforce Australia is delivered by a network of jobactive providers in over 1700 locations across Australia.

    Services they provide include:

    • screened and job-ready candidates
    • pre-employment training and work-related equipment, if needed, for candidates
    • access to work experience and internship programs
    • support while new employees settle in
    • access to wage subsidies

    Businesses can also advertise their jobs and manage job vacancies through the Workforce Australia Website.

     

  • Fair Work exists to provide information and advice to employees about workplace rights and obligations. They have a useful best practice guide and checklists for small business.  Best Practice Guide 

  • Wage subsidies can help businesses employ new staff and expand their business.  Wage subsidies are paid by employment services providers to businesses for employing eligible job seekers who are young, a principal carer parent, long term unemployed indigenous or mature age.

    Wage Subsidies webpage

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    Self-Employment Assistance can help you turn your business idea or existing small business into a viable business. The program allows you to choose the level of support that meets your needs and the needs of your small business.

    Self-Employment Assistance replaced the New Business Assistance with NEIS program in July 2022

     

    New Business Assistance with NEIS

  • Skilling Queenslanders for Work is a suite of skills and training programs supporting Queenslanders to gain the skills, qualifications and experience needed to enter and stay in the workforce.

    Incentives are available for employers who recruit Queensland job seekers through the Back to Work and Work Start programs.  Applications are now closed but rounds open frequently 

    Skilling Queenslanders for Work webpage

  • The University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) offers a range of graduate and postgraduate degree programs that include business, IT and tourism, health, nursing and sports science, creative industries, design and communications.

    USC has a strong focus on research and innovation, finding solutions to real-world problems. USC’s researchers collaborate with local, national and international governments, institutions and industries to deliver innovative, high-quality research that has a real impact in areas such as sustainability and the environment, agriculture and aquaculture, medical and health sciences.

    The University of the Sunshine Coast website

  • The USC Work Experience Scheme provides a platform for students to gain experience in the workplace relevant to their course of study. Employers are able to host a student for up to 30 days work per the calendar year. The employer provides valuable work experience while benefiting from the additional expertise of a student.

  • Access free online training from some of the world's leading educational institutions.   Visit Council's directory of global and local online training opportunities. 

    Online Training and education resources