Future Cairns: Transformations in agriculture, defence and tourism industries on the horizon

A technologically-driven future is changing Far Northern jobs for good as industry leaders reveal what opportunities will emerge in upcoming decades. Discover what they are.

Atechnologicallydriven future is changing Far North jobs for good as industry leaders reveal what new jobs will emerge in upcoming decades.

Cairns Chamber of Commerce CEO Patricia O’Neill said marine, defence, agtech and aeronautical were emerging industries spearheading the creation of jobs including drone operators, diagnostic and repair technicians and cyber security.

Cairns Chamber of Commerce CEO Patricia O'Neill said the Far North job and labour shortage will stabilise well before the year 2050. Picture: Brendan Radke

With evolving technology, job seekers are warned to adapt a “continuous learning mindset” as Ms O’Neill said workers will be forced to upskill.

“These could be certificates, graduate certificates or even micro-credentials. There will also be a stronger focus on transferable skill sets,” she said.

Software is one of the region’s advancing industries as IT lecturer at James Cook University, Dr Jason Holdsworth, said the software boom in the past 25 years was only the beginning — as supporting jobs, vital to production and operational process, will be created.

“Future people making software need to be skilled in security, privacy and ethical considerations involved with software production,” he said.

James Cook University IT lecturer Jason Holdsworth (centre) helps his students with their research projects in the JCU Ideas Lab at the Smithfield campus. Picture: Brendan Radke

“People make mobile apps, web apps, apps that run on drones and databases that live in the cloud. There’s elements of security in all these things; it’s an increasingly important consideration for software developers in the future.”

Mr Holdsworth said artificial intelligence would disrupt the digital workforce but “technology can’t replace us”.

“We’re the ones feeding in the ideas, these algorithms need a starting point, we’re the ones with the creative insights,” he said.

The tourism industry proved that it won’t be going anywhere as Cairns hurtles towards a future with greater jobs, wages and specialised skills.

Tourism Tropical North Queensland CEO Mark Olsen predicted that tourism could generate a $5.5 billion visitor economy supporting more than 27,000 jobs in the community by 2030.

Tourism Tropical North Queensland CEO Mark Olsen said their focus is to generate longer stays and deeper engagement rather than driving volume in the future. Picture: Brendan Radke

“High-value growth will help drive wage increases for highly skilled jobs in the tourism industry such as Master Reef Guides, bungy masters, chefs and dive masters – the jobs that require a specialised skill set that is essential for the success of a business and the industry,” he said.

A big shake-up is expected for agriculture as Joe Moro, president of FNQ Farmers, said jobs would be mechanised, attracting skilled workers to the region to manage future systems.

“The technology is already there, you’re going to see aides used in crop monitoring, forecasting and even some forms of implementing growing practices through robotics and drone use,” he said.

FNQ Growers president Joe Moro said there will always be jobs for Australians in agriculture despite job losses in the coming future. Picture: Chris Calcino

“There will be job losses but the positive side is that the losses will be with the transient population that comes in, the seasonal workers. There will always be jobs for Australians in agriculture.”

The region’s defence will also change as a Department of Defence spokesperson said an additional 18,500 personnel are expected by 2040 in areas like STEM, space and cyber, nuclear powered submarines, ships, aircraft and advanced weapons.

“The growth will also enable Defence to increase its workforce in specific priority roles such as, but not limited to, communication network operators, ICT specialists, electrical engineers; cyber analysts and mechanical engineers,” the spokesperson said.

Originally published as Future Cairns: Transformations in agriculture, defence and tourism industries on the horizon