Workforce Development

Access to skilled workforce is a major and intensifying issue in regional Australia. There are varying contributors: geographic dispersion and limited mobility make it difficult to address shortfalls within regions; opportunities and drivers for education and training may be limited or unavailable; it is difficult to attract workforce from urban regions – the attraction problem; there are net outflows of skilled workforce from regional Australia to urban regions - the retention problem; COVID restrictions had curtailed the supply of backpackers and agricultural worker from overseas; current regional growth means there are increasing needs for more skilled employees.

A particular issue is the provision of suitable workforce for major developments in northern Australia, where there are challenges to provide both the direct workforce involved in development and operation of new agricultural, mining and services sectors, but also the provision of the indirect workforce required. The unique characteristics of northern Australia mean that standard models to predict workforce needs are not very applicable, and that it is simplistic to assume that new workforce can be imported from outside the region. CRESC  has the capability and skills to develop and lead large scale workforce development and human resource management.

Key areas of research and activities include:

  • Workforce analysis
  • Predicting direct & indirect workforce needs
  • Understanding future workforce requirements & competencies
  • Model workforce supply option
  • Develop strategies and translation pathways
  • Policy analysis and development

Research projects

Modeling demographic change and resource needs in small villages in Sweden's northern sparsely populated areas

Lead Chief Investigator - Professor Dean Bradley Carson

Theme leader

Cluster leader - Professor Hurriyet Babacan

Harriet Babacan Portrait

Professor Hurriyet Babacan has a distinguished career over the last 25 years with a proven track record of achievement in senior leadership and strategic management roles. She has a distinguished record in scholarship in research, teaching and learning and community and professional service. She has held senior roles in higher education, public administration, and research and training such as Pro Vice Chancellor (Academic and Research), Dean, Head of School and Director of research Institutes. She was the Foundation Director of the Cairns Institute (2009-2012) and Director of the Institute for Community, Engagement and Policy Alternatives at Victoria University. In the public sector she has held roles such as Victorian Manager, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Executive Director Community Outcomes Branch in the Department of Premier and Cabinet, Commissioner with the inaugural Multicultural Commission, and CEO of Tablelands Regional Council. She is currently the Chairperson of Regional Development Australia, Tropical North.

Professor Babacan brings extensive track record of leading multidisciplinary research in Australia and the Asia Pacific. Hurriyet has published widely in national and international publications relating to economic and social development including two publications for UNESCO. She has delivered keynote presentations at numerous national and international conferences. She has been Convenor or Steering Committee member of numerous high level conferences including the United Nations- Queensland Government Conference on Engaging Communities. Professor Babacan has been an expert member on numerous departmental and international working parties including the Council of Europe/OECD working party on wellbeing and Ministerial or Premier’s advisory committees relating to social and economic development. Professor Babacan is a reviewer for the Australian Research Council, Dutch and Chinese research councils. She is also editorial board member or reviewer for numerous international journals. Her recent research focuses on sustainability and resilience and canvasses research areas relating to climate change, net zero economy transitions, workforce, policy and governance, supply chains, digital connectivity and regional development. She is a director of Rural Economies Centre of Excellence, a researcher with the Queensland Decarbonisation Hub and research fellow with Centre for International Trade and Business in Asia. 

Professor Babacan has been recognised for her work through a number of awards including the Order of Australia 2014 (AM) for outstanding contribution, as academic and author; Bi-Centenary Medal awarded by the Prime Minister, 2002 and the Multicultural Services Award by the Premier of Queensland. Hurriyet was the Queensland State Finalist in the Telstra Business Women’s Award in the for Community and Public Service category in 2003. Professor Babacan name has been listed in the Australian Women’s Archives as recognition of women leaders who have contributed to Australia.

Contact

CQUniversity
Bruce Highway
Rockhampton North
QLD 4701
Contact Professor Hurriyet Babacan