Regional Workforce Transition Officers (RWTOs) help business, industry, and communities, navigate and coordinate the transition to net zero in the Employment Regions of Central Queensland, the Hunter New South Wales, Gippsland Victoria and South-West Western Australia.
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About RWTOs
Living and working locally, RWTOs support their region’s transformation to a net zero economy by listening to the needs of residents, understanding the local labour market, and working with stakeholders to connect emerging industries and the workforce to job opportunities. This includes working with educational institutions to develop training solutions for the future to upskill and reskill the workforce. RWTOs work with local, state and Commonwealth governments, providing them with feedback from the region and advice about the region’s employment and workforce attributes. This helps ensure Government policies are attuned with what communities need.
If you have an initiative or know of a workforce opportunity relating to the region’s transition to a net zero economy, RWTOs can either help directly or connect you with people that can.
If you have general labour market enquiries, please contact your relevant DEWR Local Job Coordinators located around Australia.
Connect with the RWTO for Gippsland, VIC - Luke Arber
With more than 20 years of experience across employment, disability and training sectors, Luke has driven and led Commonwealth employment initiatives and programs including employment projects, to achieve training and employment outcomes specific to Gippsland’s labour market.
A hardworking advocate for Gippsland, including its businesses, workers and local communities, Luke is passionate about the region. His connections and collaboration with the community to deliver support and assistance continues to build the capacity of the Gippsland region and surrounds.
Luke is supported by Program Officer, Farhat.
Contact: GippslandVIC.RWTO@dewr.gov.au
Mobile: 0467 297 881
Connect with the RWTO for Central QLD - Noni Ryan
Born in Rockhampton, Noni has 25 years experience representing the Australian Government locally, mainly in the employment sector.
Noni is committed to supporting local events, driving workforce development of small/medium business, participating in community-led job seeker skill development programs, and seeking solutions to the region’s smooth transition to net zero. This includes ensuring young people are aware of, and have pathways to, careers in the net zero economy.
Noni has an established community presence, and a passion for supporting small business. With her knowledge and experience collaborating with all three levels of government and peak organisations, Noni connects the community with workforce opportunities across in Central Queensland.
Noni is supported by Program Officer, Melissa.
Contact: CentralQLD.RWTO@dewr.gov.au
Mobile: 0484 071 807
Connect with the RWTO for Hunter, NSW - Grahame Irwin
Grahame is the Regional Workforce Transition Officer for the Hunter. Born in Newcastle as a fifth generation Hunter local, Grahame is passionate about supporting the region as it transforms to a net zero community.
With more than 17 years’ experience working across the private and public sectors, Grahame has a demonstrated track record in achieving labour market outcomes for individuals, businesses, across many industries. Grahame’s authenticity and experience allows him to empathise with businesses and people from all backgrounds.
Grahame brings experience to the workforce initiatives and projects he undertakes, and a strategic approach to addressing the region’s workforce transition challenges and opportunities.
Grahame is supported by Program Officer, Alex.
Contact: HunterNSW.RWTO@dewr.gov.au
Mobile: 0417 486 774
Connect with the RWTO for South West, WA – Matt Beahan
Born and raised in Western Australia, Matt has called the beautiful South West region home for the past decade. With 18 years experience across government and community services, Matt brings local knowledge and genuine passion to his role supporting the region's transformation to a net zero economy.
Matt is deeply committed to connecting communities with sustainable workforce opportunities. Having previously developed climate change adaptation strategies and facilitated renewable energy projects in the region, he has firsthand experience helping traditional industries evolve while creating new employment pathways.
With strong community connections and a practical approach to complex challenges, Matt takes pride in bringing diverse stakeholders together and finding solutions that benefit local communities. He believes in the South West's potential to thrive in a net zero economy through collaborative planning and targeted skills development, with a focus on providing sustained community support throughout this significant economic transformation.
Contact: SouthWestWA.RWTO@dewr.gov.au
Mobile: 0417 904 925