Ms Spence to ask the Minister for Industry and Employment —

My question is to the Minister for Industry and Employment, and I ask: what information can the minister provide to Yuroke residents on what the Andrews Labor government is doing to assist the former employees of Ford who left the Ford factory in Broadmeadows for the final time last Friday?

There are generations of families who live in the northern suburbs, including in the Yuroke electorate, who have relied on the car manufacturing industry and the associated supply chain to provide employment opportunities for many years. For many former Ford workers, they did not just lose their jobs and their livelihood, they lost their connection with mates and colleagues and the camaraderie that they had enjoyed, in some cases for decades and across generations.

There are many Ford families in my electorate, and for them and many others Friday was a very sad day and the end of an era. For some it is the start of a new career direction, but for many it is the start of an uncertain future. I know that residents of the Yuroke electorate who are concerned about what Ford’s departure means for their families and friends would appreciate the information from the minister.

Answer:

The Victorian Government understands the impact being felt by former employees of Ford, their families and communities. That is why the Andrews Government is providing genuine support to the communities most affected by the automotive closures in Victoria.

The Victorian Government has been providing direct support to Ford workers by way of the Business in Transition Support (BiTS) service. BiTS services are being delivered through the Automotive Skills Australia (ASA) outreach services. BiTS has provided information to former Ford workers on the range of services available to help them manage the redundancy process and transition to new employment. BiTS provides a coordinated service that links the relevant government and community organisations. If you would like further information please contact BiTS on bits@ecodev.vic.gov.au or 13 22 15.

The range of support available to Ford workers through ASA, which has been funded by the Commonwealth Government, includes conducting information workshops, providing career and transition advice, delivering outplacement services, training funding and access to additional services such as health and wellbeing support. ASA has also established Outreach Centres at the two Ford sites so former employees can still access these services after the closure.

The Victorian Government provides access to government-subsidised training to enable workers to reskill in new industries. TAFE Skills and Jobs Centres are available to advise workers on appropriate training and also conduct workshops in job seeking skills and interview techniques at the Ford Outreach Centre.

The Victorian Government provides the same services as above to workers in the Ford supply chain. This is done through BiTS, Skills and Jobs Centres and the Jobs Victoria Employment Network. The Skills and Jobs Centre based in Broadmeadows is very much focussed on Ford and its supply chain.

It is also vital that we generate new jobs for worker affected by business closures. With this in mind, the Victorian Government has established the Local Industry Fund for Transition (LIFT) program to fund projects that create sustainable jobs and economic activity in affected communities. Businesses in Yuroke are eligible to apply into the LIFT program under the Northern Melbourne stream which covers the Darebin, Hume, Moreland and Whittlesea municipalities.

The LIFT program is a key component of the Government’s $46.5 million Towards Future Industries: Victoria’s Automotive Transition Plan. The Plan sets out a range of other relevant initiatives including the Automotive Supply Chain Transition Program (ASCTP). This program targets tier one and two automotive suppliers and supports their efforts to identify and realise business diversification opportunities. . The ASCTP will provide automotive suppliers with a plan to transition for the future. This will enable automotive businesses to strengthen and potentially grow their business into other sectors and retain workers. These workers will benefit from learning new skills which could even more opportunities for them longer term.

For further information on the programs and services provided to Ford workers, please contact Yossi Goldfarb, Director Employment on (03) 9651 9263 or at yossi.goldfarb@ecodev.vic.gov.au.

Yours sincerely,

Hon Wade Noonan MP
Minister for Industry and Employment