Victoria University has opened job and skills centres to retrain and help employ former employees of the car manufacturing industry.
The university’s TAFE division, Victoria Polytechnic, opened the centre at its Sunshine campus at the end of last month.
VU has also opened a jobs and skills centre at its Footscray campus and has plans to open a third in Melton later this year.
The centres are part of a state government program designed to assist students and employers seeking advice on training, job opportunities and links to other services.
Late last year, the state government announced $15 million would be allocated to the program to allow Victoria’s public TAFEs to build the new centres in key hubs, with each centre tailored to meet the needs of its local community.
Victoria Polytechnic vice-president Grant Dreher said the Sunshine centre was entirely dedicated to helping former automotive workers find new jobs.
“This initiative, along with our tried and tested expertise in providing vocational training, will respond to the needs of job seekers, employers, industry and workers looking to grow in the new economy,” Mr Dreher said.
Toyota and Holden will close their manufacturing plants in 2017 and Ford will close its assembly line in October this year.
According to a 2013 state government research paper, Victoria’s three car producers – Ford, Toyota and General Motors Holden – are supported by a supply chain of about 200 parts manufacturers.
For former automotive workers, the Sunshine centre will provide skills assessment, information about in-demand skills, career advice and counselling, information about potential jobs and training courses, talks and seminars by community groups and employers, referrals to support services, and meetings with local employers.
There are jobs and skills centres at the Kangan Institute in Broadmeadows and Melbourne Polytechnic’s Preston campus, as well as centres in Bendigo and Geelong.
