Last week, the Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry brought together business owners, students, and educators to talk about what matters most to the next generation of workers and what it means to work for a local business in today’s world.
The event focused on the future of our regional workforce, exploring challenges around attracting and keeping great people, and what we can do as a business community to create clear, positive pathways for young locals from school, through training, and into long-term careers in the Whitsundays.
More than 30 local business leaders attended the event, which featured a keynote from Georgia Lavers of the Greater Whitsunday Regional Jobs Committee.
Georgia shared real-life insights and tips on building supportive, engaging workplaces and how businesses can adapt to stay competitive in a changing labour market.
“Our youngest generations in the workforce are Gen Z and Gen Alpha,” she stated.
“Gen Z and Gen Alpha is essentially anyone aged 1-30. Given we are talking about those in the workforce, I’m really talking today about young people between 15-30, but particularly those under 25.
“It seems like a fairly small group but by 2034, just 9 years away, Gen Z and Gen Alpha will make up almost half of our workforce.
“So, this isn’t a “nice to know”, it’s essential to understand us if you want to future-proof your organisation.”
Georgia also explained what young people expect in the workplace.
She said young people today have grown up with digital technology and expect it to be part of the workplace. They're globally connected, influenced by international trends, and constantly online through social media which can affect their in-person communication skills.
Mobility defines their lifestyle, with frequent changes in jobs, homes, and even careers.
Finally, they prefer visual, interactive content over written text, turning to platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok for learning and engagement.
A lively panel followed, with five young locals sharing their stories and ideas: Proserpine State High School students Mia Vloedmans (studying Allied Health with PhysioPlus) and Luke Stefani (IT traineeship with Managed Computer Solutions), along with former students Will Muller, Ryan Muller, and Beau Sales, now apprentices with Wilmar Sugar and Renewables and Filby’s Motors.
Some of the top takeaways:
• They want to stay local – and build their lives and careers right here.
• They value purpose – working for businesses that share their values matters.
• They’re keen to grow – with mentoring, upskilling, and clear career paths.
• They want honest communication – regular feedback and open leadership go a long way.
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