Queensland Reference Group for Manufacturing and Engineering

The Queensland Reference Group (QRG) for Manufacturing and Engineering consists of industry representatives from 16 industries. The group helps to facilitate partnerships and engagement between industry, government and educational institutions. It also provides a structured mechanism for stakeholders and government to engage on workforce development and skilling issues within the Queensland manufacturing and engineering industries.

To achieve this the QRG:

• provides specialist industry and government knowledge to support proactive planning solutions that contribute to workforce and skills development and sustainability across the manufacturing sector
• meets periodically to consider and endorse project activity, contribute industry knowledge and review outcomes as needed
• identifies and considers the impact of market trends on manufacturing industries and develop solutions which address the broader employment and skills issues in advanced manufacturing
• develops a whole of industry position for skills development and workforce planning, while recognising sectoral differences.

The QRG reviews and provides feedback on key issues such as:

• qualification maps within relevant training packages, including articulation pathways
• career guides and similar products (i.e. teacher resources)
• industry surveys and partnership agreements
• program proposals for skills development.

It also steers and guides the Gateway to Industry Schools program for Advanced Manufacturing and provides insights, networks and connections to the Vocational Education Training (VET) Industry Engagement Officer, funded through the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training.

Members

The QRG has representatives from manufacturing sectors and key stakeholders, each bringing unique skills and experience. Individual members are leaders from the following businesses and organisations:

• Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre
• Ai Group
• Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union
• Australian Computer Society
• Australian Fashion Council
• Australian Industry & Defence Network
• Boating Industry Association
• Catholic, Independent and Education Queensland
• TAFE Queensland
• Department of Education
• Department of Employment, Small Business and Training
• Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning
• DesignWorks
• Engineers Australia
• Ferra Engineering
• Food Industries Assoc of Queensland
• Full Circle Fibres
• Heavy Vehicle Industry Association
• Higher Visability
• Innovation and Business Skills Australia
• Life Sciences Queensland
• METS Ignited
• Pricewaterhouse Coopers
• QMI Solutions (Chair and host)
• Queensland Curriculum Assessment Authority
• Queensland Gaskets
• Skills Impact
• Universities - University of Queensland, Queensland University of Technology, Griffith University and University of Southern Queensland (rotational seat)