Preparing for the Workforce of the 2032 Olympics: What Employers Need to Know
- Antony Lenehan
- Jul 25
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 31
The Olympic Games may seem a long way off, but preparations for Brisbane 2032 are already well underway and the workforce impacts are being felt today.
Hosting the Games is a decade-long process and South East Queensland has already started preparing. Early indicators show a significant gap in workforce supply, particularly in construction. As of July, Queensland had 42,000 construction worker, well short of the 82,000 needed to meet demand. And this is just the beginning.
Long-Term Growth and Short-Term Pressure
History shows that cities hosting the Olympics experience long-term employment growth. However, in the short term, demand across multiple sectors including construction, hospitality, tourism and retail will surge. This will place increasing pressure on businesses as competition for skilled talent intensifies.
What Does this Mean for Employers?
The growing demand for workers will create a more competitive recruitment environment and the impacts of this will be:
Increased turnover and resignations
Longer hiring timelines
Difficulty sourcing and securing talent
Businesses will need to stand out as employers of choice to attract and retain skilled employees. Without proactive workforce planning, companies risk talent shortages, reduced productivity and rising recruitment costs.
What Can Employers Do?
To prepare for the challenges ahead, businesses should take action now. Key strategies include:
1. Strengthen Retention Through Development
Invest in upskilling and reskilling current employees. Offering career development not only enhances internal capability but also boosts engagement and retention.
2. Enhance Your Employer Brand
Workplace benefits such as flexible working arrangements, wellness programs or learning incentives can significantly strengthen your employer value proposition.
3. Start Workforce Planning Early
Identifying future skills gaps and planning your recruitment pipeline now will reduce future dependency on reactive hiring.
Final Thoughts
The road to the Olympics presents both opportunities and challenges for Queensland’s labour market. Forward-thinking employers who act now will be best placed to attract, retain and grow the talent needed to thrive - not just leading up to and during the Games but well beyond them.
Sources:
Comments