1. LAST CHANCE: Water Industry Snapshot Report 2022 Work has now started on the processing of the data received from members in their returns to us (many thanks to Jess Dean for her processing powers!). A reminder please that if your organisation has not yet submitted your survey that this can still be returned to nholmes@qldwater.com.au as soon as possible for inclusion in the Snapshot Report. This information is extremely important in the ongoing discussions taking place with Government and Stakeholders; the more input we have, the more fulsome the picture of our industry and the challenges faced right now. 2. Nominations for the Queensland Training Awards The most prestigious and longest running training sector awards program in the state, the Queensland Training Awards provides individuals and organisations with a unique opportunity to showcase their achievements, best practice and innovation in training. The awards not only highlight the value of training, but also open doors for winners and finalists. For individuals, being a finalist or award winner can: •open doors and extend your career •provide recognition for your hard work •raise your profile and help inspire others to give training a go. For organisations, being a finalist or award winner can: •help raise your business’ profile •provide recognition for your organisation's hard work •provide exposure to valuable business and networking opportunities. Nominations for the 2023 Queensland Training Awards are now open and close midnight 15 March 2023. Nominations can be made here. 3. Skilling Queenslanders for Work (SQW) On 6 February 2023, applications for the 2023–24 first funding round opened on the Skilling Queenslanders for Work (SQW) initiative, containing 8 programs, one of which is First Start. First Start provides wage subsidies to local councils and community-based organisations to employ additional trainees. The program offers opportunities to young people and disadvantaged job seekers to gain nationally recognised qualifications and 12 months employment by undertaking a traineeship. For more information on First Start, download the guidelines for funding here. For general enquiries about Skilling Queenslanders for Work, email training@desbt.qld.gov.au or phone 1300 369 935. QCOSS (Queensland Council of Social Service) are also hosting a series of workshops and webinars to provide information, help and guidance around the SQW program and making applications. More information on their sessions is available here. 4. WIOA Australian Water Industry Operator Exchange Program WIOA in partnership with WSAA, are collaborating on a new initiative being the first Australian Water Industry Operator Exchange Program. The aim of the Operator Exchange Program is to provide water treatment, wastewater treatment and network operators with the opportunity to spend time at another organisation, to share ideas, processes and view their tools and equipment. WIOA has now opened Expressions of Interest for interested members and host organisations. To find out more or to nominate please contact WIOA here. Expressions of Interest close 31 March 2023. 5. New Employer Guide Set to Open Doors for Migrant Engineers Queensland is on the hunt for skilled engineers to help fill available jobs and build a strong, diverse workforce. •The engineering sector is experiencing nationwide skills and workforce shortages •People from migrant backgrounds with engineering qualifications are often not fully utilising their skills. The Queensland Government, in partnership with Engineers Australia and Consult Australia, developed Attracting and Retaining Engineers from Migrant Backgrounds: A Guide for Employers to help meet industry workforce shortages. The guide supports the Queensland Government’s approach to strengthening Queensland’s workforce through Good people Good jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022-2032. Download Attracting and Retaining Engineers from Migrant Backgrounds: A Guide for Employers here. 6. International Women’s Day – Women In Water Tell It Like It IsInspired by the ABC TV Series ‘You Can’t Ask That’, Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) is holding an online panel session, giving participants a chance to pose a range of challenging questions to some female water industry colleagues. Based on this year's International Women's Day theme, #EmbraceEquity, panelists will be asked about their real-life experience with equity in the water industry. The event takes place on Wednesday, 8 March 2023 from 2:00 to 3:00 pm. For more information and to register, follow the link. 7. Annual Skills Forum – 8 June 2023 at qldwater Offices, Eagle Farm Mark the date in your diary folks! The fifth annual Water Skills Forum is taking place on 8 June 2023, promising a great line up of speakers, presentations and panel sessions to tackle the challenges and highlight opportunities in the skills and training sector. Planning is underway and updates will be provided in eFlashes and on the upcoming events page in due course, so please watch those spaces. Our focus for the event will be on raising the profile of the industry, so if any members have topics or presentations they would like to make a case for, based around that theme, then do please reach out to nholmes@qldwater.com.au. 8. Jobs Queensland (JQ) Anticipating Future Skills Portal The Anticipating Future Skills (AFS) portal has a series of tools and information for workforce planning which can help to identify regional jobs growth or make decisions about future careers. It provides detailed employment projections to help you understand what Queensland’s future labour market might look like. To help you find the information you need, JQ have developed a statewide overview, and region and industry profiles. You can explore the data yourself using either the Data Portal or the Data Explorer. Further information about the methodology, scenarios and other aspects of the AFS series are also available on the website which can be found here. Upcoming Events8 March 2023 - International Women's Day - WSAA Women in Water Tell It Like It Is 8 June 2023 - Water Skills Forum | 