By Casey Neill
Assistance for auto industry suppliers in Greater Dandenong is revving up ahead of Toyota’s October closure.
South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA) executive officer Adrian Boden said positive measures were being implemented from the South East Local Auto Transition Taskforce.
“The meetings are happening and those ideas are being integrated,” he said.
“It’s a difficult situation to manage when you think you may have several thousand people all out of a job at the same time.
“Emphasis needs to shift from preparing for unemployment to getting the employers and the potential employees in front of each other.
“The big thing that we need to use is the councils because they have access to the manufacturers in terms of their databases.”
Greater Dandenong Mayor Jim Memeti said the council had introduced a new two-year program to identify at-risk businesses.
“The council plans to engage with between 10 to 15 companies who may be adversely impacted by changes to the automotive sector,” he said.
“We will look at everything from strategic planning, cultural change and financial analysis and will work with these companies on a one-on-one basis, as well as in a group environment.
“The key focus will be to implement important and necessary change to enable businesses to remain competitive and sustainable.”
Cr Memeti said the region had the highest concentration of automotive supply chain companies in the state.
“We will continue to work with automotive supply chain workers, businesses and communities to ensure they have access to support and assistance during this time of uncertainty,” he said.
“We will also continue to advocate for additional funding support from all tiers of government.”
Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams – also the South East Local Auto Transition Taskforce chairwoman – said the State Government had established a dedicated automotive-focused skills and job centre in the heart of Dandenong to provide workers with access to training and job support services.
On 8 February she announced TI Automotive Australia in Dandenong South and GTS Industries in Doveton were among 23 automotive supply chain companies to receive funding under the Automotive Supply Chain Transition Program (ASCTP).
TI Automotive Australia will use the funding to develop a business transition plan, using financial and strategic data to support discussions around growth and transition.
The plan will define the businesses current state and identify issues and challenges impacting strategic direction.
GTS Industries will use its funding to undertake actions outlined in its business transition plan, specifically detailed market survey work and interviews with selected major builders.
The latest round of ASCTP funding, announced on 8 February, built on $618,000 already provided to 29 Victorian automotive supply chain companies.
The program was established to help businesses identify future opportunities in new markets.
Eligible supply chain companies can receive up to $71,000 to engage industry specialists and help develop a plan for transition.
Funding is also available for business capability development including assistance with management skills, sales and marketing, financial management, new product development, business development and marketing.
It’s part of the $46.5 million Automotive Transition Plan.
“We know that many parts of the state have been hit hard by the closure of car manufacturing plants, and it’s great to see supply chains taking advantage of new business opportunities,” Ms Williams said.
Automotive sector workers can call 134 189 to find out more about the government support available.
