Regional Workforce Transition Officers (RWTOs)

Regional Workforce Transition Officers (RWTOs) help business, industry, and communities, navigate and coordinate the transition to net zero in the Employment Regions of Fitzroy Queensland, Hunter New South Wales, Gippsland Victoria and South-West Western Australia.

On this page:

About RWTOs

Living and working locally, RWTOs support their region’s transformation to a net zero economy by listening to its needs, understanding the local labour market, and working with stakeholders to connect them with emerging industries, workforce, and job opportunities. This also 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.

RWTOs can connect people with local initiatives including Regional Workforce Transition Plans and projects eligible for the Transitioning Workforce Fund.  Please reach out to your local RWTO if you think they can help you, or you can help them.

If you have any general labour market enquiries, please contact your relevant DEWR Employment Facilitators located around Australia.

Connect with 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, funded and unfunded, to achieve training and employment outcomes specific to Gippsland’s labour market.

A hardworking advocate for Gippsland, of Gippsland and by Gippsland, Luke is passionate about his region, providing support and assistance to the community with ongoing consistency and continuity in building connections, collaboration and capacity of the Gippsland region and surrounds.

Contact: GippslandVIC.RWTO@dewr.gov.au 
Mobile: 0467 297 881

Connect with RWTO for Central, QLD - Noni Ryan

Born in Rockhampton, Noni has 25 years of 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.

Noni has an established community presence, and a passion for supporting small business. With her knowledge and experience of collaborating with all three levels of government and with peak organisations, Noni connects her community with real jobs in Central Queensland.

Contact: CentralQLD.RWTO@dewr.gov.au
Mobile: 0484 071 807

Connect with RWTO for Hunter, NSW - Grahame Irwin

Grahame is the Regional Workforce Transition Officer for the Hunter and surrounds in NSW. Born in Newcastle as a fifth generation Hunter local, Grahame is passionate about supporting the region as it transitions 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, and traditional and evolving industries. Grahame’s authenticity and experience allows him to empathise with businesses and people from all backgrounds.

Grahame brings experienced support for workforce initiatives and projects, and a strategic approach to addressing the region’s workforce transition challenges and opportunities.

Contact: HunterNSW.RWTO@dewr.gov.au
Mobile: 0417 486 774

Connect with RWTO for South West, WA - Tanya Scudamore

Tanya is a long-term resident of the South West, Western Australia, deeply connected to the local community. With extensive experience across the resources, employment services, disability and youth sectors in regional settings, she offers a broad perspective on her role.

Tanya is passionate about creating opportunities for youth, regardless of their educational or personal background to build careers within their local communities.

As a communications and stakeholder engagement professional, Tanya takes pride in her proven ability to unite people and achieve positive results for all involved.

Contact: SouthWestWA.RWTO@dewr.gov.au
Mobile: 0448 176 799