Industry & Business

~ Incorporating the Skills Formation Strategy

Business and industry in Dalby is booming, with 2006/2007 seeing the town experience the greatest development phase in it’s history. Dalby’s economic base broadened with the development of new sectors including coal mining, power generation and retail. The addition of a multi-million dollar shopping complex further boosted the retail trade. Such developments continue to see Dalby evolving to become a major regional centre, the hub of the Surat Energy province.

The Skills Formation Strategy (SFS) project was undertaken by the Chamber to address the shortage of skilled workers in the area, as well as anticipating demand for skilled labour well into the future for Dalby and surrounds. Funding was received by the Department of Training Education and the Arts, for three consecutive years.
The three key areas have been identified in the skills shortage solution — local training, image and attractiveness of the region and working in collaboration. In the past year the SFS project has achieved success by working to achieve synergies with other businesses, councils and chambers and through establishing effective cross-regional relationships.  
Within the strategy several groups have been formed to address common area such as the rural, electrical, auto and machinery, learning and education, carers and youth development, as well as the tourism group.

In addition, the SFS project has instigated a Dalby @ Work project that aims to skill up to 75 long-term unemployed participants.