How the QRG and Gateway to Industry Schools Program (GISP) works…
The Gateway to Industry Schools Program (GISP) for Advanced Manufacturing is one of 10 industry priority sectors involved in the Queensland Government’s key industry-school engagement strategy. https://desbt.qld.gov.au/training/employers/gateway-schools
GISP is a component of a state-wide industry engagement and workforce development strategy to support the long-term development of a highly skilled workforce in Queensland. The Queensland Manufacturing Institute (QMI) has an industry engagement framework which the GISP operates within for efficiency.
The Advanced Manufacturing GISP is funded by the Queensland Government (Department of Employment Small Business and Training DESBT) and hosted by the Queensland Manufacturing Institute. The GISP program provides opportunities for industry and the education sector to work together to deliver outcomes for students, local communities and businesses.
Our GISP program aims to provide education and career opportunities for school students and an avenue for industries to meet future workforce requirements by increasing the number of students choosing a pathway into their industry sector. The program focuses on priority industries which underpin economic and employment growth across the state and offer long-term and rewarding career opportunities.
<<Download the GISP Advanced Manufacturing brochure>>
Engagement between industry and schools is a critical element of the industry’s broader workforce development framework. We work with industries and employers to increase awareness of the importance of engaging with the school sector as part of their overall workforce planning and development.
Engagement strategies with schools provide industries and businesses with a range of benefits and opportunities. Engagement strategies allow industry to:
1. Promote and facilitate partnerships between industry groups, businesses and schools
2. Gain access to youth that are not only skilled and motivated to join their workforce, but have also made informed choices about their careers and study options
3. Lift the profile and understanding of industry and raises awareness of career opportunities and pathways
4. Incorporate contemporary industry related curriculum and learning resources into schools
5. Create training, education and employment pathways for school students tied to industry-based employment and career opportunities
6. Address specific industry skills shortages through the development of direct pathways from schools to further education or work.
How the Queensland Reference Group (QRG) assists
The Queensland Reference Group (QRG) for Manufacturing and Engineering acts as a forum for discussion and advice. The group consists of industry representatives from 16 industries and chaired by QMI. They inform and provide a structured mechanism for industry, employers, education and training system stakeholders and government to engage on workforce development and skilling issues within the Queensland manufacturing and engineering industries.
The Department of Regional Development and Manufacturing (DRDM) leads the delivery of economic development outcomes for Queensland. It is committed to diversifying the Queensland economy to strengthen its international competitiveness, grow the economy and generate the high-value, high-skilled jobs of the future. Part of the Queensland Government’s Advance Queensland agenda is the Advanced Manufacturing 10-Year Roadmap which is designed to set a path for the growth of advanced manufacturing, through increased productivity and international competitiveness, targeting the adoption and adaptation of innovative technologies and processes, and through promotion and marketing.
Queensland Reference Group — Manufacturing & Engineering members: An industry-led ecosystem
The QRG has representatives from many sectors of the manufacturing industries, each bringing unique skills and experience. Individual members are leaders from the following businesses and organisations representing their industries insights:
QMI (Chair and hosts — Advanced Manufacturing), Technology: Australian Computer Society (ACS), Vehicle Manufacturing: Heavy Vehicle Industry Association (HVIA), Biomedical & Biotechnology: Life Sciences Queensland (LSQ), Defence: Australian Industry & Defence Network (AIDN) — Qld, Manufacturing: Ai Group, Mining, Equipment, Technology & Services (METS)Manufacturing: METS Ignited, Rail manufacturing: Higher Visability, Aerospace: Ferra Engineering, Design: Asia Pacific Design Library, Textile, Clothing & Footwear manufacturing: Australian Fashion Council (AFC), Food manufacturing: Food Industries Assoc of Queensland (FIAQ), Engineering: Engineers Australia, Marine: Boating Industry Association (BIA), Advanced Manufacturing: Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC), Dept of Employment, Small Business & Training (DESBT), Department of Regional Development and Manufacturing (DRDM), Queensland Curriculum Assessment Authority (QCAA), Service Skills Organisations (SSO’s): IBSA, PWC, Skills Impact, Universities (rotational seat): UQ/QUT/Griffith/USQ, School sectors: Catholic, independent and Education Queensland and TAFE.
QRG’s roles and responsibilities:
Provide industry and government specialist knowledge and expertise know-how, as well as group expertise to support proactive planning and board solutions that contribute to workforce development and sustainability.
Guide and support the work of the government, VETIEO and GISP Manager in facilitating the Workforce Development Plan through the government identified body to complete this works i.e. Jobs Queensland
Meet periodically to consider and endorse project activity, contribute industry knowledge and group expertise, and review outcomes on a needs basis.
Identify and consider market trends and other impacts on the manufacturing industries and develop solutions which address the broader employment and skills issues toward Advanced manufacturing.
Develop a whole of industry position for skills development and workforce planning, while recognising sectoral differences, in order to present a strong and unified Queensland industry.
Provide advice and guidance to support the long term sustainability of Manufacturing and Engineering in Queensland.
QRG members meet to provide information and advice to the committee on current industry challenges, policy issues or other areas of concern that are relevant to manufacturing, engineering and education within their region, and industry sector.
Members provide strategic advice to the group that articulates strategies that GISP may implement to:
Communicate, encourage and guide industry to apply the Advanced Manufacturing Roadmap and Industry 4.0
Work collaboratively with industry on identified workforce related critical areas of concern.
Members work collaboratively and strategically with other industries and bodies including the Ministerial Manufacturing Committee, industry Skills Bodies, industry networks and regional DESBT & DSDMIP offices.
The QRG review and provide feedback on documents, reports, guides and other materials. These may include and are not limited to:
A qualification mapping within the relevant training package(s) including articulation pathways
Careers Guide and other products developed i.e. teacher resources/kits, work placement guides etc
Industry Surveys and partnership Agreements
They provide information and advice of potential and/or identified risk areas related to:
Quality of training delivery
Capacity of training providers
Facilities and infrastructure to meet industry standards
Experience and currency of staff
Student capacity — low risk or high risk to industry
State and Federal skills investment, supply vs demand
Red flags that have been identified and relate to skills development.
For further information on the QRG please contact QMI hello@qldmanufacturing.org.au (07)33640700 or the GISP Program Manager.