To ask the Assistant Treasurer (for the Minister for Employment and Trade): In relation to the 20 job losses due to the redundancies made at Brockman Engineering in Geelong, what assistance will the Napthine government provide these workers who have been affected by these job cuts just weeks before Christmas.
ANSWER:
I am informed that:
Brockman Engineering has advised the government that these redundancies are due to a decline in work from key clients, completed interstate project work, future projects being placed on hold or delayed, and strong competition for work.
As part of responding to these job losses, my department has discussed with Brockman Engineering the coordination of information sessions for affected employees with the relevant government agencies and service providers.
This includes information regarding access to retraining opportunities under the Victorian Training Guarantee, potential job matching with businesses that may be seeking additional skilled employees in Geelong, or information on planning or starting a small business or franchise.
The government continues to work closely with business and local stakeholders in Geelong to attract new investment and create jobs.
A recent example is government support for Sky Software to attract a Global Software Support Centre to Geelong that will create 40 new jobs, servicing sites in 60 countries around the world.
The government is supporting major job creation projects in Geelong including the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) headquarters and relocation of the Victorian WorkCover Authority head office to Geelong.