- Published:
- Tuesday 1 May 2018
More Victorians will be able to get good secure jobs building our state with targeted job support programs and stronger requirements to buy and hire locally for major projects, as part of the Victorian Budget 2018/19.
The Andrews Labor Government has created tens of thousands of jobs over the past three years getting things done – removing dangerous level crossings and building the schools, hospitals, big new roads and rail lines Victoria needs.
The Budget makes sure all Victorians can share in our state’s economic growth with $29.7 million to help more Victorians get work on these big projects and support our thriving manufacturing industry.
This includes a $21.9 million boost to the Jobs Victoria program, which will help more than 2,000 Victorians find work.
The program provides targeted support to job seekers, helping them get job-ready and connecting them with employers.
It has already helped 5,400 Victorians find secure work and with this funding a new specialised employment support program will be created to help unemployed, disadvantaged young Victorians get secure jobs.
The Labor Government’s Major Projects Skills Guarantee will be strengthened to include targeted support so more women, at risk youth and Indigenous Australians can get their start working on our major projects.
The Skills Guarantee mandates 10 per cent of total work hours on major infrastructure projects, including the Metro Tunnel and Level Crossing Removals, will be carried out by apprentices, trainees and engineering cadets.
The Budget also includes $4.9 million to create the Office of Industry Participation and Jobs and to expand the Industry Capability Network to Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong and Shepparton. This will help Victorian businesses get work on our biggest projects and will support the new Local Jobs First Commissioner to enforce compliance of local workforce and content targets, which means more good jobs for Victorians.
The expanded Industry Capability Network will be modelled on the successful Latrobe Valley network, which promotes opportunities for local businesses – making sure they share in Victoria’s economic success.
The Labor Government is also supporting Victoria’s defence industry and supply chains with a $2.9 million boost – giving local companies the support they need after being neglected by the Turnbull Government.
This builds on the Labor Government’s investment of over $110 million in manufacturing which is creating more than 4,000 jobs and generating in excess of $1.4 billion in private investment.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Industry and Employment Ben Carroll
“We’re making sure all Victorians have the chance to get a good secure job and get their start working on our major infrastructure projects.”
“Thousands of Victorians have found secure jobs through Jobs Victoria. It works – and that’s why we’re investing more money to help more than 2,000 Victorians into work, improving their lives and the lives of their families.”