Workforce Evolution in FNQ: Understanding & Adapting to a New Landscape
June 10 @ 7:30 am – 11:30 am
We know the workforce is changing – rapidly. We’re seeing shifts in expectations around work-life balance, mental health, communication styles, and career pathways. At the same time, employers are navigating rising labour costs, changing leave patterns, and ongoing challenges around resilience, soft skills, and workplace readiness.
There are also very real conversations happening around managing multi-generational teams, gaps in professional communication and email etiquette, and how we better prepare people for the realities of the workplace – particularly in a regional context like Far North Queensland.
This forum is designed to help employers make sense of all of that and more importantly, to adapt in practical and sustainable ways. The event will explore the big picture of workforce change, featuring keynote speaker Sophie Renton from McCrindle, who will share insights on generational shifts and evolving workforce expectations.
We’ll also hear directly from local employers who are responding creatively and successfully to these challenges, along with short, targeted sessions focused on attraction, retention, workforce management, and training.
The key focus is ensuring that everyone who attends walks away with practical actions they can implement immediately. There will also be opportunities to connect with exhibitors and support services, and for those attending the Tourism Conference, it’s a great chance to align both events and only be out of the office for the one day – bonus!
EVENT DETAILS
Date: Wednesday 10 June 2026
Times:
0700 Registration and networking
0730 Breakfast & Speakers
0950 Breakout Sessions
1100 Exhibition
1130 Event Concludes
Venue: Reef Hotel Casino, Wharf Street, Cairns
Enjoy complimentary catering, refreshments, networking, and expert-led insights.
A Cairns RJC event, in collaboration with Workforce Australia Local Jobs and Skills Cairns, RDA Tropical North, the Cairns Chamber of Commerce and Department of Trade, Employment and Training.