The Workforce Council's Professional Support Coordinator Queensland and Integrated Workforce Development Strategy jointly hosted a Gathering of 80 regional network members from across the State on Wednesday 18 May.
The theme of the one-day conference, held at Brisbane's Sebel and Citigate Hotel, encouraged network members to explore the innovations and opportunities of workforce development for the community sector and children's services.
Following a Welcome to Country by local elder, Aunty Vi McDermott, Workforce Council Executive Director, Wallis Westbrook provided gathering delegates with a strategic overview of the current and future context of workforce planning and development in health and community services.
Julie Price and Marian James, Managers of the Workforce Partnerships Unit in which these two projects sit, outlined key issues relating specifically to community and children's services, and provided network members with key updates on each project.
Concurrent sessions enabled participants to choose from sessions on:
The main session of the day, facilitated by John Flanagan, focused on the role of network representatives as leaders of workforce change and strategies to tackle the complex workforce issues currently facing community and children's services.
The program was successful in providing network members with an opportunity to connect across projects and regions and to explore the innovative and strategic world of workforce planning and development. Feedback from participants has so far been extremely positive, with the only concern raised being how those who weren't able to attend might be able to gain the same connections and understandings as the delegates. We look forward to completing an evaluation with network members before the end of the month.
On the whole, the day was energising, challenging and fun for all. The Gathering team would like to thank all network members in attendance for their open and willing participation in the event and we look forward to harnessing some of that enthusiasm and fresh perspective in our ongoing work in the regions.
