- Published:
- Tuesday 14 February 2017
Hundreds of automotive industry workers are transitioning into new jobs as the Andrews Labor Government gets behind those affected by the closure of car manufacturing in Victoria.
Meeting workers at Carrum Downs retailer A Touch of Glass, Minister for Industry and Employment Wade Noonan and Member for Carrum Sonya Kilkenny announced $2.7 million in grants to create 130 new jobs under the highly-successful Local Industry Fund for Transition (LIFT) program.
A Touch of Glass – a shower door retailer – has received a grant of more than a million dollars to create 58 new jobs and establish a purpose-built manufacturing facility. Other recipients of the funding include:
- Hargo Engineering in Croydon to enable the company to invest in new equipment, increase production and create five new jobs
- Job Site Recyclers Pty Ltd in Broadmeadows to expand its current facility, establish a second facility and create 45 new jobs
- GM Motorsport Pty Ltd in Melton to purchase machinery, increase production and create four new jobs
- Australian Dairy Goods Group to construct a new dairy facility in Truganina, expand production and create 15 new jobs
- N. Cooke Manufacturing Co. Pty Ltd in Heidelberg West to purchase new machinery and create three new jobs.
The $33 million LIFT program is helping businesses expand their operations and create new jobs in communities hardest hit by the closure of automotive manufacturing.
To date it has generated almost 600 new jobs – including hundreds of positions identified for former automotive workers.
LIFT is part of the Government’s $46.5 million Towards Future Industries: Victoria’s Automotive Transition Plan supporting businesses, workers and communities affected by the closure of automotive manufacturing.
For more information about LIFT and expressions of interest visit: www.business.vic.gov.au
Quotes attributable to Minister for Industry and Employment Wade Noonan
“This is about creating new employment opportunities for workers affected by the end of auto manufacturing in Victoria.”
“It’s great to see so many businesses taking advantage of these grants to expand their operations and put more Victorians into a job.”
Quote attributable to Member for Carrum Sonya Kilkenny
“We know that Melbourne’s south-east has been hit hard by the closure of car manufacturing, and this funding is going a long way to grow local businesses and boost jobs.”