FNQ shows the way with work prospects
THE employment market in Far North Queensland offers the best opportunities in the state for jobseekers, according to new figures from a leading regional think tank.
Data published by Regional Australia Institute revealed there were 4642 job vacancies in the Far North in August, with the region having outscored its nearest rival the Gold Coast, which advertised 3385 job vacancies in the same period.
Regional Australia Institute co-chief executive Liz Ritchie said the ability to get a job was the single biggest factor in attracting people to a region and other considerations such as liveability and services were considered secondary.
She said Cairns’ reputation as a tourist destination coupled with large job vacancies was “changing the narrative” about opportunities in Far North Queensland.
“I would imagine (Far North Queensland) is in a great position as a region,” she said.
By 2056, outer Brisbane is expected to triple in size to nearly three million people.
In comparison regional centres are expected to double but job vacancy rates are predicted to outstrip capital cities.
“Regional Queensland is changing, and with that comes boundless opportunities to rethink what it will look like, and how we want to shape our country as a whole,” she said.
Breaking the numbers down there were 1025 professional vacancies which included medical field professionals, engineers, health diagnostic therapy roles and business finance professionals.
Technicians and trade workers in automotive, engineering and food trades accounted for 994 advertised vacancies in August. And 597 vacancies were advertised in clerical and admin roles.