The Victorian Government has announced the $1.8 million Skilling the Bay initiative in response to recent economic and industry changes in Geelong.

 

The announcement, made by Victorian Minister for Higher Education and Skills Peter Hall, was made following the recent job losses at Ford's Geelong plant.

 

$500,000 of the fund is aimed at providing government sponsored training places are made available for the workers affected by the redundancies at Ford.

 

The remaining $1.3 million is designed to work with Deakin University and The Gordon to build the region’s skills base and support businesses to fast track new technologies and practices.

 

Mr Hall said the Government’s response included 100 additional Geelong-based government subsidised training places for affected workers and 140 places in the Broadmeadows area.