CCIQ surveyed hundreds of businesses across the state and led focus groups to gain critical insight into emerging trends in Queensland’s future of work.

Released on October 6, CCIQ’s Future of Work Report is a valuable asset in supporting Queensland businesses to strategically plan for future opportunities and trends in workforces, workplaces and work lives.

CCIQ CEO Heidi Cooper said the Future of Work Report provided insights into trends expected to influence Queensland businesses long-term.

“The way we work is continually evolving and understanding these shifts and advances is critical for all Queensland businesses,” Ms Cooper said.

“Queensland is in a unique position, with opportunities on the horizon which will present significant growth and meaningful change to how we work and do business.”

CCIQ worked with Australian Retirement Trust to understand emerging trends in Queensland’s future of work and how businesses could plan for their future growth and  workforce sustainability

The Future of Work report shows trends and changes businesses expect will impact them in the future, and discusses strategies for how they can proactively transform their workforce, workplace and work life to maximise long-term business opportunities and respond to emerging trends.

Ms Cooper said the extensive report was a valuable asset in supporting the Queensland business community to strategically plan for the significant opportunities ahead.

“The report looked at the strategies which Queensland businesses were already considering to adapt to shifts to future business operations, and trends they may need to consider, with a keen focus on digitisation and skills to respond to new technologies and trends, developing consumer and market demand and future opportunities,” Ms Cooper said.

“The future of work has rapidly changed and this is an important time for Queensland businesses with a decade of opportunities ahead of us.

“Now is the time for businesses to be preparing their workforces, workplaces and their work lives to ensure they’re best placed to future proof their business and capitalise on these opportunities.”

Australian Retirement Trust Chief Executive Officer Bernard Reilly said The Future of Work Report was a helpful tool for employers and workforces to plan for future trends and impacts.

“We know there are extensive opportunities available for businesses and their workforces across Queensland who both need to be prepared and able to meet evolving trends, impacts and influences on the future of work,” Mr Reilly said.

“The Future of Work Report has come at the right time for businesses as we witness ongoing developments in digitisation as well as social working trends in a post-COVID environment.

“The report is a valuable and timely asset that we’re proud to support for the future development of Queensland businesses and workforces.”

About the report  

The future of work can be described through the interactions of three dimensions of an organisation:

• Workforce: the labour and skills required at work
• Workplace: the location, operation and organisation of how we do work
• Work life: the culture and meaning of work

Workforce findings  

70% of businesses said a need for stronger digital and communication skills among their workforces was likely to impact their businesses. More than half expect they’ll need to develop e-commerce strategies to meet consumer and market demand long-term while adapting to emerging trends in the way they engage with customers.

Learning at work is a top priority for Australian employees and employers in the future.

As future skills continue to evolve, future workforce planning must focus on skills and tasks required, instead of on jobs. It means lifelong up-skilling and retraining will be required for all employees in the future, and close to 70% of businesses told us it would have moderate to critical impacts on their future of work.

While digital skills needs are highly desirable, the skills of the future will also focus on human interactions such as communication, customer service and personal skills.

Workplace findings 

The most significant workplace factor to impact Queensland businesses in the next five years is high speed internet accessibility.

Three quarters of businesses say difficulties in accessing high-speed internet is impacting their workplace and more than one in three of expect it to critically impact their business in the future.

Work life findings  

Businesses and industry leaders indicate businesses want to support their employees to find purpose and fulfillment in work, as well as support employees mental health and wellbeing.

More than half of businesses indicated a need for mental health and wellbeing support for their staff would have a significant impact on the future of work life.

Download The Future of Work Report to read more about the findings, plus recommended actions for business, government and industry to ensure Queensland businesses remain competitive and resilient long-term as well as services, training and workforce planning resources and the Future of Work self-assessment workbook for businesses to use to plan for their own future of work.