THE Albanese Government will present “virtual information sessions” this month for Geelong’s Ford workers who will lose their jobs later this year.<\/p>\n
Ford revealed last month it would cut 400 Australian jobs as part of a global efficiency measure, with most of these to come from the research and development centre in North Geelong, and some from the Lara proving ground.<\/p>\n
The voluntary redundancies will take effect in September.<\/p>\n
Last week, Corangamite Labor federal member Libby Coker announced the federal Department of Employment and Workplace Relations’ Transition Support Network was working with with Jobs and Skills Victoria and Services Australia to present the sessions, which will include information around the Early Access initiative, Financial Information Service and local support available through the state government.<\/p>\n
The Transition Support Network is an on-the-ground support network made up of representatives from the department’s national, state and territory offices together with employment facilitators, which provides support to affected workers when companies restructure or close.<\/p>\n
It provides information and co-ordinates the local response to large closures or redundancies to support affected workers.<\/p>\n
The Early Access initiative provides retrenched workers and their partners with access to extra employment support, including immediate access to a Workforce Australia provider, who can assist with resume writing job applications and job interview preparation.<\/p>\n
Ms Coker expressed her sympathy for those affected by Ford’s decison.<\/p>\n
“I feel for the workers and their families,” she said.<\/p>\n
“I am talking with the union but would also encourage affected workers to make contact with me at my office for support in accessing services and programs like the Transition Support Network and the Early Access Initiative.<\/p>\n
“The Transition Support Network will be holding a virtual information session in July for workers that have been affected.<\/p>\n
“Although this is a difficult time, there will be new job opportunities in the Geelong region when the $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund gets under way.”<\/p>\n
Victorian Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson said the job losses “could not come at a worse time for our community”.<\/p>\n
“The government must intervene to deliver an urgent plan to safeguard Geelong manufacturing jobs.<\/p>\n
“This comes after two Labor budgets which delivered nothing new for our region and the axing of hundreds of defence industry jobs under the howitzer project.”<\/p>\n
Ford founded its Australian operations in Geelong in 1925.<\/p>\n
The marque decided to stop making cars in Australia in 2013, and 600 workers were retrenched in 2016 when Ford finally closed its manufacturing plants in Geelong and Broadmeadows.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE Albanese Government will present “virtual information sessions” this month for Geelong’s Ford workers who will lose their jobs later this year. Ford revealed last month it would cut 400 Australian jobs as part of a global efficiency measure, with most of these to come from the research and development centre in North Geelong, and […]<\/p>\n