Local workers and businesses affected by the planned closure of Ford’s Broadmeadows plant will benefit from $450,000 in new assistance announced by the Rudd Labor Government today.
Minister for Employment, Skills and Training, Brendan O’Connor, told an economic and cultural summit in Broadmeadows that the funding would go towards boosting jobs and skills in north west Melbourne.“These funds will be managed by NORTH Link – an alliance of business, educational and local government organisations with an 18year record of fostering growth in this part of Victoria,” Mr O’Connor said.
“NORTH Link does a terrific job of attracting investment, promoting competitiveness, conducting economic research, helping business and being a strong community advocate.
“This new funding will support the development of projects and activities which will help drive local solutions to local labour market issues in the North Western Melbourne Priority Employment Area,” said Mr O’Connor.
Federal Member for Calwell, Maria Vamvakinou, said the $450,000 is in addition to the Rudd Labor Government’s package of assistance to support people likely to be affected by Ford’s decision. The package includes:
access to the $51.9 million Automotive Industry Structural Adjustment Program which provides automatic Stream 3 jobservices support to employees of Ford or suppliers to the company;$30 million of Federal money for economic development and diversification in Geelong and north west Melbourne: an additional $10 million for the Automotive New Markets Program;around $14 million to help retrenched workers and employees of downstream suppliers with career advice, training and the holding of jobs marts
Ms Vamvakinou said the assistance would complement the work already underway in the Broadmeadows area to assist workers from Ford and its suppliers that need support as they make the transition to new employment.
“The Local Employment Coordinator for the North Western Melbourne Priority Employment Area, Mr Terry Kennedy, has already been working closely with local stakeholders to help redundant workers and the community as the region adjusts,” Ms Vamvakinou said.
“I’m confident that the new NORTH Link funding announced today will complement and build on the practical and worthwhile efforts made so far.
“People and organisations in my part of Melbourne have a history of rising to the challenge and working together constructively for the common good.”
This funding is already included in the budget.
Ms Vamvakinou said that workers who would like to know more about assistance available to them can call the Ford workers’ hotline on 1800 269 564
