Skills eFlash #142 New
Date: 16-Feb-2026
In this edition: Water Skills Partnership Meeting | Water Skills Forum 2026 | Why Australia needs and apprenticeship for the water sector | QLD Industry Breakfast | QLD Training Awards and more...
Water Skills Partnership Meeting
The first Water Skills Partnership meeting for 2026 is scheduled for 9.30am on Thursday, 5 March via Teams. A calendar invitation has been sent to all our WSP contacts. If you haven’t received it and would like to attend, please contact Sarah.
A key item for this meeting will be the formal ratification of the Water Skills Partnership Terms of Reference document which outlines the purpose and objectives of the WSP, scope of the advisory function, representation and advocacy parameters, and roles and responsibilities.
The agenda includes an update on strategic representation and BuildSkills, seeking direction and endorsement of our approach on the BuildSkills Advisory Group following an alleged Code of Conduct breach.
We are also seeking confirmation of our advocacy priorities to ensure we tackle the issues that matter to you.
Other agenda items include updates on funding, union engagement and the upcoming Water Skills Forum. We look forward to seeing you there!
Water Skills Forum 2026
Registrations are now open for the Water Skills Forum on Thursday, 19 March at the qldwater offices in Eagle Farm. Tickets include an opening networking event at Blackbird Bar Terrace Room from 6 to 8pm on Wednesday, 18 March. Take the City Cat to the venue to enjoy the river view at night!
The Water Skills Forum 2026 brings together leaders, operators, trainers, regulators and industry partners to explore one critical question:
Are the training decisions we’re making today strong enough to sustain the water workforce of tomorrow?
With speakers drawn from across water, agriculture, energy, renewables and other high-risk industries, the forum will focus on real-world experience, honest lessons, and practical insights particularly relevant to regional and remote communities. The program is designed to support informed discussion, challenge assumptions, and help shape practical approaches to workforce capability, training pathways and long-term sustainability for our sector.
Why Australia needs and apprenticeship for the water sector
At a recent Pacific Water Knowledge Exchange webinar hosted by the Australian Water Association (AWA) and the Pacific Water and Wastewater Association, our Water Skills Partnership Manager Sarah Henry joined Talei Ligairi, Head of Governance and HR at the Water Authority of Fiji (WAF), to hear insights from the Fiji Water Authority’s highly successful apprenticeship and knowledge transfer model which is now producing skilled, job ready operators and boosting workforce diversity. Their experience demonstrates what’s possible when a structured, nationally recognised pathway exists.
In September 2025, qldwater, the NSW Water Directorate, the Water Industry Operations Association of Australia (WIOA) and Water Research Australia issued a joint statement to the Minister for Skills and Training calling for a feasibility study into a water industry apprenticeship. We asked for a rigorous, evidence based process, mirroring the approach used in agriculture, to test if trade recognition and a three year apprenticeship pathway would strengthen attraction, retention, safety, and long term workforce sustainability in our sector.
Despite strong sector support, BuildSkills Australia has so far ruled out considering an apprenticeship pathway, even as workforce shortages deepen.
We’re calling on Australian utilities to add their voices. If you agree it’s time to properly test whether an apprenticeship could strengthen attraction, retention and long term capability in our sector, we want to hear from you.
QLD Industry Breakfast
Join us at the AWA QLD Industry Breakfast on Tuesday, 17 February where Sarah Henry will join panel members to discuss ways to align workforce development, ageing infrastructure, diverse water resources and economic sustainability.
Sarah will be joined by the Deputy-Director-General Water Resource Management, Jarrod Cowley-Grimmond, and Major Contractors Association CEO Andrew Chapman in a panel discussion facilitated by Mal Shepherd, Chief Development Officer Infrastructure Development and Delivery at Sunwater.
Queensland Training Awards
Nominations are now open for the 2026 Queensland Training Awards, the state’s recognition program for vocational education and training (VET).
From apprentices and trainees to employers and training providers, the Queensland Training Awards recognise excellence across the entire skills and training ecosystem.
Award Categories include:
Individual Awards
- Apprentice of the Year (in honour of Harry Hauenschild)
- Trainee of the Year (in honour of Bob Marshman)
- Vocational Student of the Year
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
- School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year
- Equity Student of the Year
- VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year.
Organisation Awards
- Large Training Provider of the Year (state level only)
- Small Training Provider of the Year (state level only)
- Community Training Initiative of the Year
- Small Employer of the Year
- Large Employer of the Year
- Premier's Industry Collaboration Award (state level only).
The Water Skills Partnership proudly received the Premier’s Industry Collaboration Award in 2021 - recognition of the outstanding cooperation across Queensland’s water sector to build a skilled workforce. This achievement reflects the dedication of water industry professionals who work tirelessly to ensure our communities receive safe, reliable drinking water and that our environment is protected through effective wastewater management.
If you’ve been impressed by a trainer who has delivered exceptional learning to you or your team, or by a trainee who consistently goes above and beyond, consider nominating them for a Queensland Training Award. It’s a meaningful way to highlight excellence in our sector and to acknowledge the people who help strengthen the future of Queensland’s water industry.
LGAQ IR Help Desk
The LGAQ IR Help Desk is a free, confidential service for member councils, offering expert advice on industrial relations, HR, and employment law for Queensland local government.
Available during business hours, it provides guidance on issues from recruitment to termination, including award interpretation and workplace investigations.
For HR/IR interpretation and advice, please email the advisory team at IRHelpDesk@lgaq.asn.au
For all other Workforce related matters (incl. safety, workforce development / capacity building programs, traineeships / apprenticeships) please email Workforce@lgaq.asn.au and an LGAQ team member will assist you.