As the Olympics fast approaches and Queensland undergoes one of the most significant expansions in infrastructure, mining, energy and construction in its history, the ag industry needs to prepare for a sharp drop in its access to talent.
With more than $120B in scheduled projects and the anticipated need for up to 41,000 additional workers, competition for skilled labour is intensifying.
The same diesel fitters, electricians, engineers, machine operators and technicians required for these projects are the backbone of Australian farming and, as major industries scale up recruitment, agriculture must adapt or risk losing capability. Major projects across Central Queensland, Fitzroy, Mackay–Isaac–Whitsunday and the Darling Downs require skills that are shared with agriculture, and these shortages are structural and long-term, rather than temporary.
Further to that, project sectors generally offer higher wages, FIFO options and defined career pathways, so the ag sector will need to articulate its value proposition – whether that’s community, purpose, stability or something else – more clearly. To guarantee the ongoing success of their operations, agribusinesses must put a plan in place.
Workforce planning must become strategic
It’s no longer enough to simply react to present-day needs. Agriculture must shift from reactive recruitment to:
- Future skills forecasting
- Proactive talent pipelines
- Strong EVP
- Capability building
- Multi-channel sourcing.
Retention as a competitive advantage
To ensure you have the staff your business needs, it’s important to focus on retention. People stay in agriculture when they see:
- Leadership investment
- Growth opportunities
- Clear career development
- A supportive culture
How Agri Talent can help
By providing workforce planning, talent pipelines, EVP consulting, retention strategy and market insights, Agri Talent has the skills and experience required to find your people in an unprecedented landscape. We can also help you recruit from overseas using our sister company, Global People Solutions.
Queensland’s workforce boom is both a challenge and a catalyst for agriculture, and the next five years will define which businesses grow and which struggle to access talent. Now’s the time for proactive planning – and Agri Talent is here to help. To find out more, contact us today.