Meet our Industry Skills and Jobs Advisor – Lisa Gilbert

A high-performance mindset for manufacturing

Lisa’s journey to becoming an Industry Skills and Jobs Advisor (ISJA) for Queensland’s manufacturing industry is anything but conventional. Her background as a competitive athlete has given her a distinctive edge in understanding what it takes to build high-performing teams and achieve results under challenging conditions.

“As a former athlete, I bring a high-performance mindset to the ISJA role—shaped by discipline, resilience, and the ability to adapt quickly under pressure. Years of working in team environments have strengthened my communication and collaboration skills, enabling me to connect easily with people across all levels of a manufacturing business to government departments,” Lisa said.

“The competitive streak hasn’t gone away—I want to see Queensland’s manufacturing sector outperform other states and globally. Having a skilled, capable workforce is how we get there,” Lisa said.

As one of Manufacturing Skills Queensland’s Industry Skills and Jobs Advisors, Lisa works with industry to understand current and emerging trends, skill requirements, and forecast jobs growth to inform government and non-government programs and initiatives. She plays a vital role in advocating for state investment in training for industry and providing input into training package development to ensure qualifications remain relevant and responsive to manufacturing’s evolving needs. As technology advances and consumer demand transforms the manufacturing sector, her role ensures the training system keeps pace – ensuring the right training and real jobs for Queensland’s manufacturing industry.

Building stronger, future-ready workforces

Understanding what manufacturers need requires getting out into businesses and seeing operations firsthand. Lisa’s approach is built on genuine relationships and deep industry insight.

“I work closely with manufacturing businesses by taking a hands-on, relationship-focused approach—starting with on-site visits and detailed conversations to understand their operations and pain points. By identifying current and emerging skill gaps and aligning these with industry trends and training options, I help them pinpoint what capability they need and connect them with the right training solutions,” Lisa said.

Tracking the changing face of manufacturing skills

Queensland’s manufacturing landscape is shifting rapidly, with technology reshaping job roles and creating new capability requirements across the sector. From traditional trades to cutting-edge digital competencies, the breadth of skills now required reflects an industry in transformation.

“I’m seeing strong demand for advanced technical skills across Queensland’s manufacturing sector, particularly in machinery and equipment, metal products, and resource-linked manufacturing, all of which have experienced notable employment growth as the industry evolves toward more technology-driven processes. Businesses are also seeking greater capability in digital skills, automation, data use, and modern manufacturing processes to stay competitive, alongside continued demand for qualified trades and production roles supported through VET pathways and higher education,” Lisa said.

The intersection of green goals and workforce capability

Environmental responsibility is no longer optional for manufacturers—it’s a business imperative. Meeting these expectations requires workers who understand new technologies and can implement cleaner, more efficient production methods.

“Sustainability is increasingly shaping the skills landscape in Queensland’s manufacturing sector, with businesses recognising that meeting environmental goals requires a workforce capable of adopting advanced, low-waste, energy-efficient technologies. Recent industry strategies emphasise the need for training in automation, digitalisation, and new manufacturing processes to boost efficiency and reduce environmental impact, aligning sustainability with innovation and productivity growth,” Lisa said.

Creating pathways and opening doors

The impact of Lisa’s work extends beyond policy documents and training frameworks—it’s measured in individual lives changed and businesses transformed through access to the right skills at the right time.

“The Industry Skills and Jobs Advisor role has been a rewarding experience. Being able to work on projects identified by industry, in industry, and for industry—and seeing the direct impact of giving an individual access to training and skills they may not have been able to reach on their own—is incredibly fulfilling.

“Equally rewarding is being involved in the many Manufacturing and Engineering ISJA portfolio projects over the past five years that have created positive change across Queensland’s manufacturing sector, knowing that the work we do helps strengthen the skills pipeline and make a lasting contribution to the industry’s future,” Lisa said.

Get in touch

Manufacturing businesses wanting to provide feedback on training packages, discuss emerging skill needs, or share insights about workforce challenges can connect with Lisa.

Contact now

The Industry Skills and Jobs Advisor program is supported and funded by the Queensland Government.