What’s Happening?
Local health and care leaders met in Alexandra Hills on Thursday, 21 May for a major workforce symposium.
The Redlands Health & Care Workforce Symposium focused on staff shortages across the Redlands Coast.
The event was coordinated by the Redlands Regional Jobs Committee and Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce.
It brought together leaders from hospitals, aged care, disability support, community services, education, training and government.
The event focused on practical, employer-led responses to workforce attraction, retention and training pressures.
Opening keynote speaker Chris Junge said the issue was broader than one employer or service.
Mr Junge is the newly appointed RJC Health and Care Working Group Chairperson.
He is also the General Manager of Mater Private Hospital Redland.
He described workforce shortages as a whole-of-system issue.
He said the issue affects healthcare delivery, community wellbeing and economic productivity.
Why It Matters
The Redlands Coast relies on a strong health and care workforce.
These sectors support hospitals, aged care homes, disability services and community care.
When staffing gaps grow, local services face pressure.
That can affect access to care, worker well-being, and the wider local economy.
The symposium gave employers and local leaders space to focus on shared solutions.
It also encouraged organisations to work together rather than compete for the same staff.
By The Numbers
- About 80 people attended the symposium, giving the day broad input from across health, care, training and government.
- The workshops focused on priority actions for the next 18 months, giving the sector a clear planning window.
- Six key solution areas were discussed, including training, retention, placements, traineeships, culture and public-private collaboration.
Local Impact
The workforce issue is closely tied to local service access.
Health, aged care, disability support and community services all depend on trained local workers.
The symposium looked at stronger school-to-work pathways for young people.
It also considered more local training and placement options.
These ideas could help more Redlands residents enter health and care careers.
Flexible work, mentoring and better onboarding were also discussed as ways to keep skilled staff.
Zoom In
A key part of the day was an open Q&A with elected leaders Henry Pike MP and Amanda Stoker MP.
Industry leaders raised workforce shortages, infrastructure needs, transport challenges and training gaps.
They also discussed barriers affecting workforce participation across the region.
Attendees heard lived-experience stories from people who moved into health and care roles.
These workers entered the sector through career changes, return-to-work pathways and flexible employment options.
Panel members shared workplace support ideas that can help retain staff.
These included flexibility, meaningful onboarding, mentoring and career progression.
Zoom Out
The Redlands discussion reflects wider pressure across Australia’s health and care sectors.
Workforce shortages are affecting service delivery in many communities.
The Redlands symposium kept the focus local.
It asked what employers, trainers, schools, government and service providers can do together.
That local approach matters because workforce needs differ across regions.
The Redlands Coast has its own transport, training and participation challenges.
What To Look For Next?
The symposium ended with strong support for an ongoing RJC Health & Care Working Group.
That group would help progress shared workforce initiatives.
It would also keep momentum going after the event.
Redlands RJC Chair Des Kerr said the day showed a clear willingness to work together.
“The workforce challenges are significant, but what stood out was the genuine commitment from organisations to work together on practical long-term solutions,” Mr Kerr said.
