Dalby Empowered Employment
Dalby Empowered Employment is an initiative of the Dalby Chamber of Commerce and Industry, that is funded by the Queensland Government’s Growing Workforce Participation fund. Through the project we will grow workforce participation by engaging with employers in the Western Downs region, employment services providers, community groups, and school career counsellors to foster connections and pathways to entry level employment for eligible job seekers.
Workforce Positive is the delivery partner for the project, working closely with the Dalby Chamber of Commerce and Industry Board, team, and members to manage the project and bring to fruition the goals of the program.
What is involved for Employers?
We are looking for approximately 20 employers who have entry level, sustainable employment of 15-38 hours per week, who are open to employing an eligible job seeker, who most likely, does not currently have the skills or experience for the role.
Support Available
Through the Dalby Empowered Employment project, we can offer you professional HR support to;
- Design your entry level role(s)
- Write a job description
- Write on-the-job training modules
- Write work procedures
- Advertise your job
- Screen and interview applicants
- Make a selection decision
- Check the Modern Award and pay entitlements
- Write an offer of employment
- Write an onboarding checklist
- Have check- in meetings with you and your new team member
- Support any questions or concerns in their first 6 months
By offering structured and documented support and work processes we are setting both the employer and the employee up for success in their first 6 months, and beyond.
Would you like to know more about Dalby Empowered employment? Contact our Project Manager, Kearin Lowry, via email kearin@workforcepositive.com.
Download our employer information flyer here.
Are you a employment services provider, community group or school careers professional?
Connecting eligible job seekers with available entry level roles is a key objective of Dalby Empowered Employment.
An eligible job seeker may be characterised by;
- Currently unemployed, and not employed for the past 12 months or more
- Lived experience of disability, or language diversity and experiencing unemployment
- Under 25 years of age, or over 55 years of age, and experiencing unemployment
- Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and experiencing unemployment
We understand that many people who relate to these descriptions may also have a Workforce Australia Provider connection, however, not all will. It is important to us to connect with people in their communities and support networks, and ensure that our job advertising is effective in reaching people both within and outside of the Workforce Australia Provider network, who may be experiencing unemployment.
We would like to invite employment services providers, community group leaders and school careers counsellors to sign up for our Dalby Empowered Employment Job Alert email, this will be a regular update of available roles, currently being recruited through the program.
If you see the following statement at the bottom of a locally advertised role, this is also a greenlight that the role is supported by Dalby Empowered Employment;
Employment in this role will be supported by a clear position description, on-the-job training and a structured onboarding to set you up for success in your first 6 months. Would you like to know more? Please contact our Project Manager, Kearin Lowry, via email kearin@workforcepositive.com.
Would you like to know more about Dalby Empowered employment? Contact our Project Manager, Kearin Lowry, via email kearin@workforcepositive.com.
Download our community information flyer here.
Meet the Dalby Empowered Employment Team
Kearin Lowry, Director, Workforce Positive
Dalby Empowered Employment, Project Manager
Near 20 years of HR professional experience has led Kearin to focus on the most important aspects of Human Resources – our communication, leadership and culture. These elements define the employment experience and business success.
Kearin’s career background with large businesses set a foundation for Industrial Relations, HR Processes and Employment Relations. As a HR Generalist she established the HR functions for various domestic and international organisations including: manufacturing, publicly listed businesses and Government agencies. From there Kearin worked in a professional services practice and began her path toward consulting on HR matters, performance and employment relations.
Kearin launched Workforce Positive to Channel Human Energy into HR. To support business owners and leaders who wanted to do HR differently. Workforce Positive provides a full range of HR support and advice services and specialises in enhancing leadership skills for management teams and business owners. The ultimate goal of our programs is for leaders to implement values, decision making frameworks and processes and create a ‘cultural response’ in that business; where leaders work together as agents of the business culture.
Sandy McLaughlin, Administration Assistant, DCCI
Dalby Empowered Employment, Project Administration Assistant
Sandy is currently employed by the Dalby Chamber of Commerce & Industry as an Office Administration Assistant to the board. With over 25 years of working in the Office Administration Field locally in Dalby, Sandy is passionate about providing professional Administration services to support local businesses in our local community.
Heather Proud, Associate HR Consultant, Workforce Positive
Dalby Empowered Employment, Project Consultant
Heather commenced with Workforce Positive as a HR Services Intern in April 2024, and quickly progressed to Associate HR Consultant. Originally from Roma, Heather relocated to Toowoomba in 2022 to undertake a Bachelor of Business & Law at the University of Southern Queensland. As a Business & Law student, Heather enjoys the technical aspects of her work, leveraging her academic strengths to analyse various HR challenges.
With a background in hospitality, Heather has gained valuable experience working in cafes, where she developed strong interpersonal skills and an ability to work in fast-paced environments. Heather is particularly drawn to the business and HR facets of her degree and is excited to apply her theoretical understanding to practical scenarios at Workforce Positive. She looks forward to making a positive impact by tackling real-world challenges and opportunities within the Workforce Positive Team.
Zoe Grahl, Associate HR Consultant, Workforce Positive
Dalby Empowered Employment, Project Consultant
Zoe is a budding HR professional with a strong academic background and practical experience in fostering positive workplace cultures. She graduated from the Queensland Academy of Mathematics, Science and Technology in 2020 and is now undertaking her final year at the Australian National University, completing a dual degree in Commerce and Psychology. As a psychology student, Zoe has honed her understanding of human behaviour, particularly in organisational contexts, fuelling her passion for the science behind HR and effective communication.
Coming from a background in customer-service based roles, Zoe considers herself a people person, valuing interpersonal communication and meaningful working relationships. Additionally, Zoe’s coursework has equipped her with skills in negotiation and management, which she translates into real-world settings. She is committed to leveraging her knowledge to devise innovative solutions that drive organisational success.
Having recently returned from an exchange program at the University of Leeds, Zoe brings a global perspective to her work. She is now focused on making a lasting impact as part of the Workforce Positive team.