A multidisciplinary group of researchers have had their first meeting with a local advisory committee to discuss their Gladstone case study of the ‘Economic, Social and Cultural Contributions of Skilled Migrants to Regional Australia'.

The CQUniversity researchers and Gladstone advisory committee met this week (Feb 14) at the Leo Zussino Building on Gladstone Campus.

The research project has been funded by CQUniversity to investigate the contributions of skilled migrants and their families to regional business and communities and to identify factors which attract and retain skilled migrants in key workforces to regional areas.

The study will draw on academic specialists in HRM, nursing, tourism and OH&S, led by Dr Roslyn Cameron from Gladstone Campus.

The advisory committee represents the local promotion and development bodies, the industry leadership group, the district hospital, the regional council, a sports club and the industry engagement officer for Queensland's Department of Education & Training.

"We'll be finding the issues encountered by business and communities when employing skilled migrants," Dr Cameron says.

"We'll be checking what support is needed to ensure business and the community can attract and retain skilled migrants and their families in regional areas, as well as the support that migrants and their families need to help them settle, become active community members and remain in regions.

"Finally we'll be assessing the implications of our study for policy and practice in this area."