In the recent Queensland Tourism Awards there were many winners across the broad categories including from remote and regional towns. Congratulations to the winners including Birdsville Big Bash, Cape York Lodge, Quilpie Visitor, Museum & Gallery, Aquascene Magnetic Island, BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday, Great Keppel Island, Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort, The Reef House Palm Cove & Skyparks Cairns.

There were many other great regional attractions that took out silver and bronze awards, a fantastic result.

Congratulations to Cairns Airport who won Major Airport of the Year for the second  year in a row, for their determination & resilience during unprecedented flooding.

As we come towards the end of the year, I thought I would give you a snapshot of some of the key employment market drivers, indicators, and trends.

• Remote and Hybrid Work Models

In 2024, this trend continued, with employees demanding flexibility. Companies that offer remote or hybrid options tend to attract talent. This continues to be a priority for job seekers, especially millennials and Gen Z.

• Technological Advancements & AI Integration

Technology, Automation and AI are not just replacing low-skill jobs but are transforming middle-skill and even high-skill roles.

• Gig Economy and Freelancing

The gig economy has been expanding rapidly, and more workers are seeking flexible, freelance opportunities.

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives

Companies are putting more emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion to attract top talent and foster a positive workplace culture.

• Employee Well-being and Mental Health

Employee well-being is becoming a priority for employers.

• Sustainability and Green Jobs

Jobs in the sustainability sector are growing.

• Reskilling and Upskilling

As technology and industry needs evolve, workers increasingly engage in continuous learning to stay competitive.

• Workplace Automation and Robotics

While some jobs may be replaced by machines, new roles in managing and maintaining automated systems are emerging. Rather than replacing human workers entirely, automation complements human work.

• Global Talent Mobility

Talent shortages. drive recruitment efforts in emerging markets and are leading to more global competition for skilled professionals.

• Labor Market Tightness

Companies need to offer competitive compensation, better benefits, and flexible work options to attract and retain top talent.

As the Christmas and holiday period approaches if you need temporary staff to fill holiday relief, please do not hesitate to call our team.