ALCOA will cough up $10 million for job training scheme for workers to be sacked from its Geelong and Yennora, NSW, plants.
This will include a new $5 million to the Geelong Region Innovation and Investment Fund (GRIIF). The figure also includes $4 million already committed to ongoing skills and training programs for Alcoa employees in Geelong and Yennora that the company says it started after its February announcement of the impending Point Henry closure.
The training package comprises three elements: career transition,which includes one-on-one career counselling; direct sponsored short-term courses, which involves Alcoa-organised training; and financial support for employees to undertake their own accredited training.
The final $1 million will be apportioned to the Yennora community for undisclosed purposes.
The Alcoa announcement follows harsh criticism by Geelong region Labor MPs of this week’s Napthine Government State Budget’s failure to provide any transition or relief funding for 800 Alcoa workers facing redundancy in coming months.
Both state and federal governments were quick to note the Alcoa announcement, with Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane and Manufacturing Minister David Hodgett welcoming the new and earlier cash commitments.
“Alcoa has been an integral part of the Geelong and Yennora communities for more than 50 years and all parties have benefitted from this long term relationship. It is important we support them as they transition into a new phase,” Alcoa of Australia managing director Alan Cransberg said.
“By committing substantial funding to the following projects we will help create more jobs as well as equip our employees with the skills and support they need to secure sustainable alternative employment in the region.”
GRIIF is aimed at supporting innovative job creation projects that strengthen and diversify Geelong’s regional economy and employment base.
