Connecting skilled migrants and refugees with careers in Queensland manufacturing

The Global Talent in Manufacturing (GTM) program is a new initiative designed to help Queensland manufacturers access skilled talent while supporting skilled migrants and refugees to build successful careers in the manufacturing sector.

Funded through the Queensland Government’s Workforce Connect Fund; the program is being delivered by Manufacturing Skills Queensland (MSQ) in partnership with industry and community stakeholders.

Register your Interest

About the Program

Queensland manufacturers continue to face workforce and skills shortages across a range of occupations. At the same time, many skilled migrants and refugees arrive in Australia with valuable qualifications, experience and transferable skills that can be difficult to translate into local employment opportunities.

The GTM program aims to bridge this gap by connecting employers with work-ready talent and providing participants with the support they need to transition into manufacturing careers.

The program will combine innovative technology, personalised career support and industry engagement to create practical pathways into employment.

What the Program will deliver

For Participants (Job seekers from migrant backgrounds)

Participants will have access to:

  • Career coaching and employability support
  • Guidance on qualification and skills recognition
  • Assistance to identify suitable manufacturing career pathways
  • Local industry exposure and work experience opportunities
  • Professional networking opportunities
  • AI-powered skills recognition and career matching tools
  • Video CV development to help showcase language proficiency, trade & professional skills and experience to employers

For Manufacturers

The GTM program will help manufacturers:

  • Access a broader pool of skilled and motivated candidates
  • Connect with skilled migrants and refugees with relevant qualifications and experience
  • Reduce recruitment barriers through skills matching and screening support
  • Increase workforce diversity and inclusion
  • Build sustainable workforce pipelines for hard-to-fill roles
  • Participate in tailored cultural competency workshops with other manufacturers
  • Load vacancies in a dedicated manufacturing Jobs portal for Queensland recruitment.

Who should get involved?

We are seeking manufacturers interested in:

  • Recruiting skilled migrants and refugees
  • Hosting work experience or industry placements
  • Providing industry insights to support program development

We are also seeking expressions of interest from:

  • Migrant and refugee support organisations
  • Multicultural peak bodies
  • Employment service providers
  • Community organisations supporting skilled migrants and refugees

Partnerships will play an important role in helping participants connect with employment opportunities and navigate pathways into Queensland’s manufacturing sector.

Program Timeline

The GTM Program is currently in development, with activities expected to commence in late 2026 and continue through 2027.

Further information on program activities, participant registrations and employer engagement opportunities will be announced soon.

Register Your Interest

Would you like to be involved in the Global Talent in Manufacturing Program?

Complete the form below and a member of the MSQ team will contact you as opportunities become available.

Frequently Asked Questions – General Questions

The Work in Manufacturing Jobs Portal is an online platform that connects manufacturing employers with job seekers. Through the GTM Program, new features including AI-powered skills matching and Video CV functionality will be introduced.

The GTM Program is currently being developed, with activities expected to commence in late 2026 and continue through 2027. Further updates will be provided as key milestones are achieved.

Complete the Expression of Interest form on this page and an MSQ representative will contact you with further information as opportunities become available.

The Global Talent in Manufacturing (GTM) Program is delivered by Manufacturing Skills Queensland (MSQ) and funded through the Queensland Government’s Workforce Connect Fund.

Yes. MSQ welcomes partnerships with multicultural organisations, refugee support services, community organisations, employment providers and industry stakeholders to support participant engagement and employment outcomes.

Once you register your interest, a member of the GTM team will contact you when program activities become available. You may be invited to create a skills profile, access resources, attend information sessions, connect with employers or participate in other program activities relevant to your circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions – For Job Seekers

Participants may include individuals who:

  • Hold overseas trade, technical, engineering, manufacturing or other relevant qualifications.
  • Have overseas work experience in manufacturing and related industries.
  • Possess transferable skills that could be applied to manufacturing occupations.
  • Have qualifications or experience that have not yet been formally recognised or validated in Australia.
  • Are underemployed or working outside their area of expertise due to barriers such as qualification recognition, local experience requirements or limited industry connections.
  • Are seeking to understand how their existing skills and experience align with manufacturing careers in Queensland.

The program recognises that many skilled migrants and refugees bring valuable qualifications, industry knowledge and practical experience that may be overlooked or not fully understood by employers. Through career coaching, skills assessment, AI-powered skills matching, qualification recognition guidance and employer connections, the GTM Program aims to help participants translate their overseas experience into meaningful employment opportunities within Queensland’s manufacturing sector.

MSQ will work with participants to identify existing capabilities, explore manufacturing career pathways and connect them with employers who value the skills and experience they bring.

Yes. If you are studying in Australia, have recently graduated, or hold a visa with work rights, you can register your interest and create a skills profile through the Global Talent in Manufacturing (GTM) Program.

The program recognises that many international students and graduates bring valuable qualifications, technical knowledge and industry experience from overseas that may be relevant to Queensland’s manufacturing sector.

Individuals with valid Australian work rights may be able to participate in the program. Eligibility will depend on the individual’s circumstances and visa conditions. Register your interest and the GTM team can provide further guidance.

No. Creating a skills profile does not guarantee employment.

However, it can significantly improve your visibility to manufacturing employers and help identify opportunities that align with your qualifications, skills and experience. The GTM Program provides tools, resources and connections to support your job search, while recruitment decisions remain the responsibility of individual employers.

The GTM Program is designed to help skilled migrants, refugees and people from migrant backgrounds connect with employment opportunities in Queensland’s manufacturing sector. By joining the program and creating a skills profile, you may benefit from:

  • Increased visibility to manufacturing employers looking for skilled workers.
  • Identification of manufacturing career pathways that match your skills and experience.
  • AI-powered skills recognition and job matching.
  • Support to develop your resume and video CV.
  • Access to industry networks and recruitment opportunities.
  • Guidance on translating overseas qualifications and experience into Australian employment pathways.
  • Connections to employers who value diverse skills and international experience.

The program recognises that many participants have valuable overseas qualifications, trade skills and professional experience that may not yet be fully recognised or understood by Australian employers.

While the GTM Program aims to improve your job readiness and connect you with employment opportunities, participation does not guarantee employment. Recruitment decisions remain the responsibility of individual employers and are based on factors such as job requirements, skills, experience, work rights and the competitiveness of the applicant pool.

Yes. The program recognises that many skilled migrants and refugees bring valuable overseas qualifications, trade skills and professional experience that may not yet have been formally recognised in Australia. The GTM Program can help you identify suitable manufacturing career pathways and provide guidance on skills and qualification recognition processes.

Yes. The GTM Program recognises that many skilled migrants and refugees bring valuable manufacturing experience gained overseas. The program is designed to help participants showcase these skills to employers, identify how their experience aligns with Queensland manufacturing roles and access opportunities that can help them gain local industry experience.

No. Manufacturing employers need people with a wide range of skills and experience. Many occupations and qualifications have transferable skills that can be applied in manufacturing environments.

A Video CV allows you to introduce yourself to employers and showcase your communication skills, qualifications, experience and career interests alongside your traditional resume.

No. Participation in the GTM Program is free for eligible participants.

A: You do not need to know exactly what role you are looking for before joining the program. The GTM Program can help identify manufacturing occupations that align with your qualifications, experience, interests and transferable skills. Participants will have access to career guidance and skills-matching tools to explore suitable pathways on the Manufacturing Matters website.

Yes. Many skills gained in industries such as construction, engineering, logistics, mining, transport, food production, administration, customer service and project management are transferable to manufacturing. The program can help identify where your capabilities may be relevant within the sector.

A: Manufacturing is one of Queensland’s largest industries and offers diverse career opportunities across trades, engineering, production, technology, maintenance, logistics, operations, quality assurance and leadership roles. Many positions offer career progression, ongoing training opportunities and long-term employment prospects.

Your information will only be used for program and employment-matching purposes. Participants will be advised how their information may be shared with employers as part of the registration and consent process.

Yes. As you gain additional qualifications, training, certifications, work experience or employment, you will be able to update your profile to ensure employers can view your most current information.

Different manufacturing roles have different communication requirements. Many employers value practical skills, technical knowledge and work experience alongside communication skills. The GTM Program can help you understand the requirements for different roles and prepare for employment opportunities.

Once you register your interest, a member of the GTM team will contact you when program activities become available. You may be invited to create a skills profile, access resources, attend information sessions, connect with employers or participate in other program activities relevant to your circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions – For Employers

The program helps manufacturers access a broader pool of skilled and motivated candidates, including people with overseas qualifications and industry experience who may otherwise be overlooked. The program also supports workforce diversity, attraction and retention initiatives.

Candidates may include skilled migrants and refugees with experience in:

  • Manufacturing and production.
  • Engineering.
  • Trades and technical occupations.
  • Operations and maintenance.
  • Quality assurance.
  • Supply chain and logistics.
  • Professional and leadership roles.

Many participants may also have overseas qualifications and experience that have not yet been formally recognised in Australia.

No. Participants will have the legal right to work in Australia and will be supported through the program to identify suitable employment pathways. The GTM Program can also provide guidance and support to employers on recruitment, onboarding and retention practices.

No. Manufacturers can become involved through workforce planning discussions, employer workshops, work experience opportunities, industry engagement activities and future recruitment opportunities.

Participating employers may receive:

  • Candidate matching support.
  • Access to the Work in Manufacturing Jobs Portal.
  • Inclusive recruitment resources.
  • Cultural competency workshops.
  • Guidance on recruiting skilled migrants and refugees.
  • Onboarding and retention support.

Yes. Manufacturers interested in hosting work experience, workplace tours or local industry placements are encouraged to register their interest. These opportunities can provide participants with valuable local experience while helping employers assess potential future employees.

The program is designed to support employers throughout the process. Resources, workshops and guidance will be available to help businesses confidently recruit and support employees from diverse backgrounds.

Many skilled migrants and refugees have extensive international experience, trade qualifications, engineering expertise and technical capabilities that are highly relevant to manufacturing businesses. The GTM Program helps employers better understand and assess these skills within an Australian context.

Many participants may possess valuable overseas qualifications and experience that have not yet been formally recognised. The GTM Program can assist participants in understanding qualification recognition pathways while helping employers identify transferable skills and capabilities that may meet workforce needs.

Absolutely. The program is designed for manufacturers of all sizes, including small and medium enterprises. Small businesses can benefit from candidate matching, workforce planning support and access to a broader talent pool.

No. Participation in the GTM Program, including workshops, resources and employer engagement activities, is provided at no cost to eligible Queensland manufacturers.

The program includes post-placement support to help participants and employers achieve successful employment outcomes. This may include onboarding support, employer liaison and follow-up activities designed to support retention and workplace integration.

Once you register your interest, a member of the GTM team will contact you when program activities become available. You may be invited to create a skills profile, access resources, attend information sessions, connect with employers or participate in other program activities relevant to your circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions – For Community and Multicultural Organisations

Community and multicultural organisations play an important role in connecting people with employment opportunities, supporting settlement outcomes and helping participants navigate career pathways. Partnerships help ensure the program reaches skilled individuals who can contribute to Queensland’s manufacturing workforce.

Community organisations, multicultural organisations, migrant support services, employment providers and industry associations can support the program by promoting opportunities, referring eligible participants and partnering with MSQ to improve employment outcomes.

Yes. Referrals from community organisations, employment providers and multicultural support services are encouraged and will help connect more people with manufacturing career opportunities.

Once you register your interest, a member of the GTM team will contact you when program activities become available. You may be invited to create a skills profile, access resources, attend information sessions, connect with employers or participate in other program activities relevant to your circumstances.

 

Helping build a stronger manufacturing workforce. Proudly funded by the Queensland Government’s Workforce Connect Fund.

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