STATEWIDE ROUND TABLE STRENGTHENS CREATIVE WORKFORCE PLANNING 

On Tuesday, November 25, 2025, a statewide round table was held at TAFE Queensland Southbank Campus, facilitated by Karen Graham, Industry Skills & Jobs Advisor – Screen, Media & the Arts. The session brought together regional representatives from Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba, Logan, the Gold Coast and Brisbane to share insights on workforce needs and sector challenges related to Live Production and Technical Service skills. 

Group photo from the meeting.

Participants highlighted the growing demand for skilled staff across theatres, festivals, music, galleries, museums and corporate events. Key challenges included staff attraction and retention, rates of pay, housing pressures, and persistent skill gaps. 

A recurring theme was the need to expand training pathways beyond technical roles. Representatives stressed the importance of professional development in ticketing, marketing, and leadership, areas critical to sustaining growth and ensuring operational excellence. Building capacity in technical production also emerged as a priority to meet rising event volumes across the state. 

Importantly, a number of Government departments and TAFE representatives were present, including the Department of Trade, Employment and Training (DTET), Service and Creative Skills Australia (SaCSA), Department of Education, Office of the Night-Life Economy Commissioner, Arts Queensland, QMusic, Stage Queensland, Screen Queensland, Australian Live Music Business Council, TAFE Queensland, and MRAEL Group Training Organisation. Their participation provided them with direct insight into sector needs and reinforced the importance of aligning workforce development with policy and investment priorities. 

This round table underscored the value of statewide collaboration. By working together, Queensland can build resilient, skilled teams that sustain the arts and cultural industries well into the future. 

The Industry Skills and Jobs Advisor for Screen, Media and the Arts is proudly funded by DTET and hosted by Essential Screen Skills.