The Community Collective QLD

03/08/2026

Great news from across the Fedcap network!

Fedcap has welcomed Ania Mendrek as Senior Director of Corporate Services, Growth and Practice Development for the UK and Australia, and that's good news for all of us here at The Community Collective.

With more than 20 years' experience across employment, skills and workforce systems, Ania has helped governments and providers build services that create better opportunities for people and stronger outcomes for communities.

One of the best things about being part of the Fedcap network is access to people like Ania. As we continue to grow our work here in Australia, it's this kind of global expertise and shared learning that helps us strengthen what we do locally and deliver even greater impact for the communities we serve.

30/07/2026

Employment services work best when they're built around the person in front of them.

This is the work we've been doing for years, and we're proud to share a submission to the Australian Government's Discussion Paper on the future of employment services, in partnership with The Fedcap Group.

Drawing on Fedcap's 90+ years of workforce development experience, the report sets out nine recommendations, all built on one idea: deep partnership with local communities is what grows economic opportunity and creates a system that works for participants, employers and communities alike.

We look forward to seeing these ideas help shape the next generation of employment services in our communities across Australia!

To read the discussion paper, visit: https://www.dewr.gov.au/employment-services-reform/shaping-future-employment-services-discussion-paper

To read Fedcap's submission, visit: https://d3ms8mre5rhtvu.cloudfront.net/?hash=OUE2QUE5RjZBRUQraHA1Mjk5aG83aw==

22/07/2026

As an NDIS provider, we know sustainable employment isn't just about career training. It's built through life skills development, strong support networks and the confidence to navigate community and work environments independently.

Living with autism, Joel joined TCCQ through our School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) program, which helps young people transition from education into the workforce. Working closely with his Support Partner, Vanessa, Joel built the practical skills he needed for both work and everyday life – everything from budgeting and cooking to getting around on public transport by himself.

Securing employment was a huge milestone. With the support of TCCQ and his family behind him, Joel found the confidence to take the lead in his career and go after his goals on his own terms.

Learn more about SLES through Joel's journey:

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20/07/2026

TCCQLD was founded on the belief that personalised care and opportunity help build stronger communities. Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do.

Now backed by The Fedcap Group family, we're broadening our reach to create more pathways to economic participation, drawing on their 90+ years of delivering evidence-based programs for people facing barriers to opportunity.

Working alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, we're excited to keep delivering this work locally, growing our community partnerships and strengthening workforce participation.

Interested in exploring how we could work together to create more opportunities for Queenslanders? We'd love to hear from you! https://thecommunitycollectiveqld.com.au/

10/07/2026

🎉 We're excited to be attending the Kismet Ready Set Connect Event!

If you're heading along, be sure to stop by and say hello to our team. We'd love to connect, chat about what we do, and explore ways we can work together to strengthen our community.

📍 Come and see us at Ready Set Connect – we can't wait to meet you!

09/07/2026

As part of their Business Spotlight Series, Employ Me shone a light on their partnership with Concept Labs Australia – a family-owned business making eco-friendly tropical skincare, cosmetics and industrial cleaning products right on Australian soil!

Concept Labs Australia was looking for an employment partner who shared their commitment to social responsibility and could connect them with local talent keen to learn, contribute and grow.

Their continued growth shows what's possible when employers invest in local talent – strengthening the workforce and creating lasting social impact along the way.

Watch their story:

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08/07/2026

Earlier this year we shared some exciting news: The Community Collective QLD is now part of the The Fedcap Group family!

We've teamed up with an international network serving 332k+ people each year – and like us, Fedcap is committed to creating opportunities for communities that have too often been excluded.

To our TCCQ partners and clients – don't worry, the local team you know and trust isn't going anywhere! What's changed is the depth of experience and support behind us. Alongside Fedcap, we're expanding access to critical resources and opportunities for Queenslanders.

Proven experience. Global perspective. Local impact. Together, they drive our work forward!

We'd love to hear from you about opportunities to support more Queenslanders through Fedcap's on-the-ground programs.

Visit: https://bit.ly/4waQ2ip to get in touch!

07/07/2026

When David first connected with Employ Me, he had spent more than a year searching for work. Despite a decade of experience, rejection after rejection meant employers only saw a name on a résumé. Alongside mental and physical health challenges, his sense of isolation grew.

With support from Employ Me, David began work at Sunstate Gearbox & Diff Service, where he found community and a renewed sense of purpose. "I'm loving every minute of it," he shared. "It's changed my life."

Stories like David’s are why support from programs like Employ Me matter.

Watch his story: https://bit.ly/4f837BF

David shares her experience and support received with the team at Y...

06/07/2026

Today we had the opportunity to attend the Sunshine Coast Business Council Government & Business Forum and hear directly from our QLD Premier David Crisafulli MP and Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie MP about the future of our region.

What stood out most was the focus on the infrastructure and investment that will shape the Sunshine Coast for generations to come—particularly in the lead-up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The discussions highlighted major transport and infrastructure projects, including rail connectivity and regional development initiatives designed to support our rapidly growing community.

From the perspective of The Community Collective QLD and The Fedcap Group, these projects are about much more than roads, rail and economic growth. They are opportunities to create a more connected, accessible and inclusive region.

Improved public transport and rail infrastructure have the potential to remove barriers for people with disability, making it easier to access employment, education, healthcare, community services, recreation and social opportunities. As the region prepares to welcome the world through the Olympic and Paralympic Games, accessibility and inclusion must remain at the centre of planning and delivery.

The Paralympic legacy in particular represents an opportunity to challenge perceptions, celebrate ability, and ensure people with disability can fully participate in every aspect of community life—long after the Games are over.

Thank you to the Sunshine Coast Business Council for bringing together business, government and community leaders for these important conversations. The future of our region is strongest when growth is matched with inclusion, accessibility and opportunity for everyone. 🌏♿🚆

Sarah McIntosh

02/07/2026

Too often, barriers to employment are viewed as individual challenges, overlooking the systems that shape a person's ability to achieve economic mobility.

Connection is at the centre of everything we do at TCCQ. As an NDIS provider, our work spans health, employment, community participation and school-to-work transitions, creating integrated pathways that bridge local talent with businesses.

To date, we have supported more than 1k people, consistently meeting or exceeding all Disability Employment Quality Standards and helping more than 400 individuals secure meaningful employment.

When people are connected to opportunity, they can create their own solutions.

To learn more about our work, visit: https://thecommunitycollectiveqld.com.au/