Article by Adam Curcio, Project Manager, Rural Jobs and Skills Alliance
A United Voice: Reflecting on RJSA’s legacy and the future of agricultural workforce planning
As the Rural Jobs and Skills Alliance (RJSA) reaches the close of its current chapter on 30 June 2025, we reflect with pride on what has been achieved – and with clarity on what must come next.
Over the last 12 months, the RJSA has actively repositioned itself as a practical, collaborative force in workforce development, aligning with the Queensland Agriculture Industry Workforce Plan 2022–2027 and the Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022–2032. Through an internal review, strategic re-engagement with stakeholders, and bimonthly member forums, RJSA has sharpened its focus on industry-led, cross-sector workforce solutions. Major achievements include strengthened collaboration with TAFE Queensland and SmartAg Queensland, reinvigoration of member meetings to align with shared priorities, and rollout of a responsive communications strategy including a regular newsletter. A key legacy of this phase is RJSA’s transition from being purely a convenor to becoming a platform that supports shared intelligence, amplifies member-led skilling initiatives, and prototypes models for training delivery, governance reform, and workforce insight. The realignment process now underway is built on stakeholder consensus: RJSA must evolve into a more agile and connected structure to support the next phase of Queensland agriculture’s workforce transformation.
Throughout this period of transformation, the Queensland Agriculture Industry Workforce Plan (QAWIP) has remained the Alliance’s strategic compass. It has provided a clear framework for aligning initiatives, testing collaborative models, and tracking progress across the sector. As both a guide and a galvanising force, QAWIP has helped RJSA and its members stay focused on what matters most: delivering meaningful, measurable change in how Queensland agriculture attracts, trains, and retains its workforce.
A snapshot of progress: Where the plan has delivered
Across industries, one action area stood out as a clear frontrunner: Workforce Skilling. Thanks to RJSA’s facilitation and government investment, industry-specific training pathways have expanded in reach and sophistication. From Cotton Australia’s practical micro-credentials to the Certificate III in Irrigation Technology, and the peer-led training models sustained within dairy and pork enterprises, the emphasis on practical, accredited and enterprise-owned training is delivering real results.
These programs haven’t just filled skills gaps—they’ve strengthened business operations across the board. Training in forklift operation, chemical handling, cotton picker operation, and confined space entry has moved from being optional to essential, with over 800 participants completing safety-focused programs alone. Through projects like SmartAg Queensland and Bridging the Gap, producers have gained access to industry-led, highly practical training that meets real-time demand. More than just boosting compliance, this wave of upskilling has fostered a culture where training is now seen as a driver of operational efficiency, safety, and pride. These programs have built the capability and confidence of on-farm teams, supporting both individual career growth and enterprise resilience.
Persistent challenges: What we’ve yet to solve
Despite progress, industry consensus is clear: core issues remain. The most urgent include:
- Housing and infrastructure: Whether in peri-urban dairy regions or intensive livestock hubs, a chronic shortage of affordable, appropriate housing is stifling workforce growth.
- Career visibility and pathways: Irrigation, cane, and horticulture sectors all flagged a lack of recognised career progression frameworks—especially at the supervisor and business owner levels.
- Access and equity: Culturally and linguistically diverse workers, First Nations peoples, women, and youth still face structural barriers. Digital exclusion, onboarding gaps, and poor alignment with visa programs were raised repeatedly.
- Training navigation: The complexity of the skilling ecosystem was cited as a barrier by nearly every sector. Despite new programs and funding, producers struggle to match needs with providers—particularly for niche roles or microbusinesses.
Tools that work: What’s worth keeping
There’s strong endorsement for programs that have delivered value:
- SmartAg Queensland remains a gold-standard example of industry-led, government-supported skilling platforms.
- School and VET outreach through Gateway to Industry Schools and AgForce’s School to Industry Partnership Program (SIPP) continue to lift career awareness.
- Programs like Queensland Agricultural Workforce Network and the Agricultural Extension Work Placement Program, when integrated with regional delivery models, are seen as force multipliers.
What’s next: Industry’s vision for the second half of the Queensland Agriculture Industry Workforce Plan 2022-2027
There is a loud and consistent call for the second half of the QAWIP to focus on leadership development, digital literacy, career architecture, and support for cross-sector initiatives that reflect the diversity of today’s agriculture.
Several sectors are calling for portable induction kits, recognition of prior learning, and bilingual/migrant worker pathways. The need to harmonise skilling platforms across states (e.g. QLD/NSW cotton training) and sectors (e.g. horticulture-logistics) is growing louder.
RJSA’s legacy and the road ahead
The RJSA network has not only delivered successful projects—it has influenced state strategy. Through RJSA, industry secured a seat at the table in shaping the Queensland Workforce Strategy and in embedding agriculture’s needs into broader state priorities.
The recent RJSA review, made clear that while the Alliance’s impact has been significant, the current structure is no longer fit-for-purpose. A realigned, more agile RJSA is now in design, one that retains our collective voice while strengthening independence, strategy, and governance.
Closing thoughts: gratitude and renewal
The RJSA has demonstrated what’s possible when Queensland’s agriculture sectors speak with unity and act with intent. As we close this chapter, we thank every member, partner, and contributor who shaped this work. Your insights have not only informed policy, they have helped future-proof the sector.