Deena Dodd, Flood Recovery and Indigenous Employment Coordinator with Lifeline Toowoomba, said that over 20 people she had referred through Indigenous Workstars had found employment.

Kate Miguel is Business Development Manager for registered training organisation Workskills, with a territory spanning multiple country towns and centres west of Toowoomba.

Through a partnership with Indigenous Workstars, a number of employment opportunities have been created for Indigenous jobseekers in towns such as Roma and Chinchilla.

“A lot of the resource sector companies have busy schedules and foremen and supervisors need help with mentoring new employees,” said Kate.

With a love for cooking, Jackie Lettice could not be happier working as an apprentice chef at the Jolly Swagman Restaurant in Goondiwindi.

Not only is she embarking on a career path she loves, but she is receiving a little help to overcome hurdles that would otherwise make advancement difficult.

“I’m loving it,” said Jackie recently. “I love cooking food for people and serving them – their comments always make you feel good. “

Talk to the locals in Queensland’s south-west, and you’ll hear another perspective about the region’s rapidly growing resource sector. All is not boom and bouquets.

Yes, there are lots of jobs on offer, but not a limitless source. Many businesses are looking for the right people, but can’t always find them.

The growing resource activity and the influx of prospective workers to the townships presents many challenges for businesses and local communities alike.

When it comes to supporting the economic growth of Queensland's coal-gas seam corridor, Hutchinson Builders is a key mover, providing all-important accommodation and a range of associated facilities for workers.

In 2011 Hutchinson identified the opportunity to train, recruit and retain local Indigenous people around the Miles and Chinchilla region as part of their growing workforce, and approached Indigenous Workstars for assistance.

Gladstone labour hire and security services provider, Best Employment Services has joined forces with Indigenous Workstars.

Melena McKeown, Training and Employment Coordinator for Indigenous Workstars negotiated an Memorandum of Understanding with BEST to provide funding for training and licencing required for 20 Indigenous employees.

More and more businesses along the CSG pipeline are seeking to employ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Whether it is a local business employing one new staff member or a HR Manager implementing an Indigenous Employment Strategy across an organisation, locating the right individual or a pool of suitably qualified individuals is often challenging.

“FOGS” in Toowoomba took on a new meaning for a group of Indigenous students from Roma State College who visited the city on Wednesday, thanks to some assistance from John Pearson Consulting.