Having a skilled workforce is critical to the success of Queensland’s tourism industry. As working environments shift and consumer demands evolve, our training systems and workforce initiatives need to keep pace.
Our Industry Skills and Jobs Advisor works closely with employers, small business and tourism stakeholders to gather insights and provide evidence-backed industry advice directly to the government.
This collaboration ensures that training solutions, employment opportunities, and investments are aligned with the evolving needs of industry, supporting a skilled and adaptable workforce. Connect with our program team.
How joining the program can help your business
Meet our Industry Reference Group members
Our Industry Skills and Jobs Advisor program is shaped by input from several Industry Reference Groups.
These groups, made up of people working across different sectors of the tourism industry, meet regularly to share real-world insights that help guide workforce planning, skills development, and training for Queensland’s tourism industry.
Sectors: Accommodation, dining and hospitality
Members
ALH Hotels | Alex Bartkowiak, Executive Chef (Queensland and Northern Territory)
Australian Restaurant & Cafe Association | Wes Lambert, Chief Executive Officer
BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park | Lee Morgan, General Manager
Caravan Parks Association of Queensland | Michelle Weston, Chief Executive Officer
Chefs on the Run | Melissa Hedges, General Manager (Australia)
Clubs Queensland | Jasmin Van Gorp, Workplace Relations Manager
Coast Entertainment Group | Chris Osborne, Group Director of Sales
Crystalbrook Collection | Tracie Picton, Talent Acquisition Manager
Culgoa Point Beach Resort | Zoe Jennings, Group Marketing and Distribution Manager & Resort Manager
Freedom Shores and Northerlies Beach Bar & Grill | Mike Waterhouse, Venue Manager
Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre | Garry Kindred, Executive Chef
Mantle Group Hospitality | Nick Baker, Executive Chef Queensland
NRMA Parks & Resorts | Janine Weaver, Head of People and Culture
Paradise Resort Gold Coast | Danielle Collett, Human Resources Manager
Queensland Country | Peter Homan, Chief Executive Officer
Queensland Hotels Association | Therese Kelly, Training Manager
Royal Carrangarra Hotel | Ben Casey, Owner/Director
Sandstone Park | Melanie Wheatley, Operations
Service and Creative Skills Australia | Chantelle Martin, Stakeholder Liasion Manager – Hospitality, and Terry Patricia, Manager, VET Engagement and Implementation
Sectors: Attractions, experiences and events
Members
Artefact Group | Wesley Pearson, Director
Australian Centre for Regional Events (and Tilma Group) | Linda Tillman, Managing Director
The Balloon Emporium | Peta Kucas, Owner Operator
Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre | Diana Mignani, HR Director
Cairns Adventure Group | Jennifer Spry, Human Resource Advisor
Coast Entertainment Group | Chris Osborne, Group Director of Sales
Dark Arts Global | James Dee, Director
Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre | Megan Dennis, People & Culture Manager
Gold Coast Turf Club | Lynette Nisbett, Human Resources Manager
Queensland Country | Peter Homan, Chief Executive Officer
Queensland Performing Arts Centre | Gemma Davidson, Human Resources
Service and Creative Skills Australia | Chantelle Martin, Stakeholder Liasion Manager – Hospitality, and Terry Patricia, Manager, VET Engagement and Implementation
The Star Entertainment Group | Krista Copland, Training & Quality Controller
Wonderment | Andrew Cameron-Smith, Director
Sectors: Travel and visitor services
Members
Boating Industry Association | Andrew Fielding, Chief Executive Officer
Clean Cruising | Jean Summers, Director of Human Resources
Coast Entertainment Group | Chris Osborne, Group Director of Sales
Flight Centre |Cameron Boyd, General Manager
Outdoors Queensland | Dom Courtney, Executive Officer
Queensland Country | Peter Homan, Chief Executive Officer
SeaLink | Kyle Simpson, National Marine Training and Development Manager
Service and Creative Skills Australia | Chantelle Martin, Stakeholder Liasion Manager – Hospitality, Terry Patricia, Manager, VET Engagement and Implementation, and Sam Tooley, Stakeholder Engagement Manager – Tourism
Tourism Noosa | Anthony Wynne-Hoelscher, Manager, Industry Development
Work with our Industry Skills Advisor
Our Industry Skills Advisor works with employers and businesses to advise government on emerging trends and regional skill needs. By providing decision-makers with this input, the program helps to align key decisions on training and investment priorities with industry needs.
- Inform and contribute to Vocational Education and Training (VET) reform agendas to ensure training systems meet the evolving needs of the tourism industry
- Support industry connection with vocational education and training programs, initiatives, and events
- Guide and align government priorities for training, skills development, program design, and inform investment decisions
Recent program outcomes
Driving growth through skills planning
Contributed to the 'National Priority Skills List' and the 'VET Workforce Blueprint' - both initiatives designed to strengthen Queensland's tourism industry by expanding migration pathways and supporting a sustainable VET workforce to train future professionals.
Enhancing apprenticeships & qualifications
Reviewed Australian apprenticeship programs, participating in national consultations on occupation classifications, and supported initiatives such as maritime qualifications and the reclassification of events traineeships.
Chef shortage project
Chefs play a key role in the success of any kitchen. Our program is supporting casual cooks in becoming professional chefs by providing flexible qualification pathways. Providing greater flexibility for participants, lucrative financial incentives and recognising current skillsets.
Get in touch
If you’d like to learn more about the Industry Skills Advisor program and how your business can benefit by getting involved, please contact our Program Manager, Kathryn Moody directly at [email protected].
The Industry Skills and Jobs Advisory program is an initiative of the Queensland Government, designed to support employer, small business and industry connect and engage with the training sector, government programs and investment.
The Industry Skills and Jobs Advisor program is proudly funded by the Queensland Government.