The Hon. Mark Bailey, Chair of the Western Queensland Regional Community Forum, Minister for Transport and Main Roads (Qld) and Minister for Digital Services (Qld), Media Release, 6 November 2023

Opportunities for young people in rural communities to gain training and practical skills to make them more employable have been increased as a result of the Queensland Government’s Western Queensland Regional Community Forum, which meets for the last time for 2023 at Longreach.

Forum members advocated for the expansion of the Central Highlands Regional Resources Use Planning’s (CHRRUP) LEADAg program, which is an agricultural education and training initiative in regional Queensland.

LEADAg has been delivered in Longreach, and a secondary pilot program for the region, LEADAg+, has been devised in collaboration between CHRRUP and RAPAD (Remote Area Planning and Development) Employment Services Queensland Plus (RESQ+).

Education, training, and skilling pathways are among the Western Queensland Regional Community Forum Action Plan, which also includes health (access to services and wellbeing) and social infrastructure.

Forum members will visit the Longreach School of Distance Education, which is critical for students living in the regional and remote communities of Western Queensland, to tour the new accommodation quarters.

Presentations include the LEADAg program, the new Regional School Industry Partnership Program and Queensland’s $89 billion Big Build.

Quote attributable to the Chair of the Western Queensland Regional Community Forum, Minister for Transport and Main Roads and Minister for Digital Services Mark Bailey:

“Thank you to the Western Queensland forum members for their great work over the past two years which is supporting a brighter future for the region through some positive outcomes.

“I’m honoured to be part of a program which is giving young people in this region greater opportunities when seeking employment.”

Quote attributable to Western Queensland Regional Forum member and Chief Executive Officer of RESQ+ Chris Hamilton:

“The forum has enabled the enhanced training for job seekers. 

“My involvement in the forum provided the opportunity to connect and work together with CHRRUP during their informative presentation on skilling pathways for agriculture back in 2021.

“The LEADAg program fills a crucial gap that emerged after the closure of agricultural colleges and offers a valuable opportunity for individuals looking to explore employment opportunities across the agricultural sectors.”

Background

The forum is the eighth and last for the 2022-23 members. Expressions of Interest for Western Queensland residents who would like to participate in the 2024-25 series of forums can be made at Regional Community Forums | About Queensland and its government | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au).

Forum member Mr Chris Hamilton is available for interview – please email media@premiers.qld.gov.au.

• The forum will be chaired by the Minister for Transport and Main Roads and Minister for Digital Services Mark Bailey.
• The Western Queensland Regional Community Forum is one of seven to be held in regional centres across the state, with similar forums for Central Queensland, Darling Downs South West Queensland, Far North Queensland, Mackay Isaac Whitsunday, North and North West Queensland, and Wide Bay Burnett Fraser Coast.  
• The Regional Community Forums are supported by the Office for Rural and Regional Queensland.