Who we are

Jobs Fraser Coast was formed from the Fraser Coast Regional Advisory Group in May 2018.

Established in September 2017, the role of the Fraser Coast Regional Advisory Group was to lead the development of the Fraser Coast Regional Workforce Plan following the Growing Opportunities in the Fraser Coast: Informing Regional Workforce Development  report.

Initial advisory group members include the three Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Council, local University, Regional Development Australia, TAFE, Regional Tourism Organisation, Agriculture, Health, Community, NDS and Manufacturing industries.

The members worked in a spirit of collaboration, respectfully and in good faith for the advancement of the Fraser Coast region.  It is intended that these same principles will continue to be displayed and embedded into Jobs Fraser Coast activities.

Our Mission

Jobs Fraser Coast supports the growth and development of a strong, capable and skilled workforce across industry sectors in the Fraser Coast region.

Our Members

Michelle Hay

CHAIR

Coordinator, USC Fraser Coast
University of the Sunshine Coast

A long-time local, Michelle Hay has called Hervey Bay home since the late seventies. With extensive experience in tourism industry and the tertiary education sector, Michelle has developed a thorough understanding of the local community that continues to transform. Married, with 2 children, Michelle holds a Master of Management (Marketing) and a Bachelor of Business (Tourism).

Michelle is a director of Forget Me Not, a charity that supports vulnerable children in Nepal, India and Uganda and is the Head of Campus at the University of Sunshine Coast’s Fraser Coast campus.

Mark Lourigan

DEPUTY CHAIR

Manager Economic Development
Fraser Coast Regional Council

Mark has worked in industry and manufacturing for over 25 years, primarily with Hyne Timber in organisational development. Mark now leads the Economic Development team at Fraser Coast Regional Council in developing, implementing and facilitating initiatives and strategies that deliver sustainable community and economic outcomes, including job creation, investment attraction, increased incomes and improved standards of living, for the Fraser Coast communities.

Ana Rodger

BOARD MEMBER

General Manager
TAFE Queensland East Coast Region

Ana leads a multi-campus, multi-disciplined education and training organisation, offering qualifications and skill sets to over 12,000 students annually. With 27 years of experience in the VET sector in Far North Queensland, Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay Burnett, Ana has in-depth knowledge of the challenges and opportunities for regional Queensland in a rapidly changing socio-economic landscape. Prior to her current role, Ana held the role of Executive Director Education and Training with an earlier role at TAFE North as Chief Financial Officer and Director of Corporate Services.

Greig Bolderrow

BOARD MEMBER

Chair
Fraser Coast Tourism and Events

Until his retirement in 2017 Greig spent his entire career in the media in Wide Bay. As General Manager Wide Bay for Southern Cross Austereo he was responsible for the company’s radio and television assets on the Fraser Coast and in Bundaberg.
Greig is the current chair of Fraser Coast Tourism and Events and has strong links to many community organisations in the area.

Michelle Kennedy

BOARD MEMBER

Manager Recruitment and Workforce Services
Wide Bay Hospital and Health

Michelle brings extensive experience in health industry recruitment to her role with Jobs Fraser Coast. A strong human resources professional, Michelle has a degree in Human Resources Management and Services.

Allison Finley-Bissett

BOARD MEMBER

Lead Organiser, Central and Wide Bay
Together ASU

Allison brings extensive union knowledge for professional and administrative staff in the Queensland public service and the private sector to her role within Jobs Fraser Coast.

Allison completed a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Queensland which has assisted her becoming a strong union advocate. An active member of the Fraser Coast community, Allison is the treasurer of Save our Waterside Workers Union Hall and the Maryborough Labour Day Committee

Our Goals

Jobs Fraser Coast works with local, regional, state and commonwealth partners to:

  • Plan for the future through proactive monitoring of industry trends and identifying upskilling and reskilling opportunities through education and training.
  • Advocate for investment in training and skills that aligns to regional jobs and employment growth.
  • Drive and build the footprint, skills and connection to education pathways to ensure a job ready workforce.
  • Leverage and coordinate existing local resources and assets to enable skills development within the region.
  • Partner with those who are working to bring investment to the Fraser Coast, demonstrating our commitment to thinking about the job and skill requirements to secure the investment.
  • Advocate to build sustainability through building existing workforce resilience and flexibility, to meet the moving skills needs across industry.

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