Helping North Queensland businesses become more family-friendly is vital to addressing the region's skills shortage, says Minister for Women Margaret Keech.

Mrs Keech said the Bligh Government's Office for Women will run a special seminar in Townsville today to help businesses embrace new work practices designed to entice mothers back into the workforce.

The seminar will explore the critical issue of work life balance in attracting and retaining women in today's business environment.

"If we're going to tackle the North Queensland skills shortage head-on, business needs to examine the reasons why women with families are not re-entering or staying in the workforce - and make some practical long-term changes," Mrs Keech said.

"Women who have left the workforce due to family commitments are an untapped resource and enticing them back is vital for business and Queensland's booming economy."

Mrs Keech said the seminar, featuring international expert Professor Linda Duxbury, would bring together business, government and the community to explore practical measures to attract and retain women in the workforce.

"The seminar will ask industry to explore work life balance policies as an attraction and retention strategy for employers," she said.

"Strategies to help workers balance work and personal life are the key to being an employer of choice for both sexes, but they are absolutely vital to attracting women with families back into the workforce.

"A panel of industry representatives will be discussing how to implement measures to attract and retain workers in the Townsville region.

"This seminar is a valuable opportunity for Townsville businesses to address their skills shortages.

"The Bligh Government is committed to increasing women's workforce participation through initiatives such as this seminar by the Office for Women and the Northern Regional Manager's Coordination Network."