Logan-based business owner Katie Lynch is preparing to take on her first employees and expand her printing business after completing a Workforce Plan through Manufacturing Skills Queensland’s (MSQ) Industry Workforce Advisor program.
Owner and Founder of Katie J Design and Events, a small printing and personalised party decorations business, Katie recently reached out to MSQ’s Industry Workforce Advisor, Karen Knapton, seeking a clear understanding of the recruiting process for small businesses. From knowing when and how to recruit, to identifying the skills and role requirements needed, and the HR, onboarding, workplace policies and workforce systems that needed to be integrated into the business, knowing when and how to navigate this process can be incredibly challenging.
Karen worked with Katie in a one-on-one workforce planning workshop, where they reviewed the business’ current employment documentation, policies, and procedures and identified future needs and priorities to map out the next steps for growth and understand where support would be needed, culminating in the completion of a Workforce Planning Worksheet.
As many small- and medium-manufacturing businesses across Queensland face challenges when it comes to attracting, hiring, and retaining employees while balancing everyday business operations, Karen said that workforce planning today could save significant time and resources down the track.
“With the nature of business operations today, many small and medium manufacturers tell me that they simply don’t have the time to sit down for workforce planning, but it’s the businesses who are proactively addressing this who are thriving,” said Karen. “Identifying your skill and workforce needs and putting the processes and procedures in place now will minimise the headaches down the road when it is time to hire a new employee or expand, and my role is to facilitate this planning to connect manufacturers with the support, guidance and resources they need to make this simple.”
During the workshop, Karen was able to identify opportunities for further support and resources, including access to subsidised Fire Combo training, funded by MSQ to equip small businesses with knowledge and practical skills to respond to emergencies in the workplace. This would ensure the company has the resources in place to support the health and safety of employees as they come on board.
After completing the workshop, Katie said she was confident she was putting the right pieces in place to achieve her business goals and grow.
“Working with Karen gave me a much clearer picture of what I need to have in place before bringing someone into the business,” said Katie.
“I left with a clear workforce planning framework, practical next steps and a much better understanding of the support available to Queensland manufacturing SMEs. I’ve already started actioning it, which has made the next stage of growth feel far more structured and achievable.”
After completing her workforce worksheet, Katie is in the process of formalising the plan, which will support an application for a $2,000 grant through MSQ’s Workforce Development Subsidy, introduced to support businesses to execute the action items on their Workforce Plan and get them started on the journey to a more inclusive, responsible workplace.
From a one-day workshop, Katie now has a clearer, structured pathway for preparing the business to employ and support additional production staff. The process has shifted workforce planning from a broad future goal into practical, prioritised actions covering safety, recruitment, onboarding, documentation and workforce capability.
If you are interested in reviewing your business recruitment processes, completing a Workforce Plan, and accessing a $2,000 subsidy, get in touch with Karen today.
The Industry Workforce Advisor program is proudly supported and funded by the Queensland Government.