Minister for Industry and Employment Ben Carroll has attended the 2017 Victorian Manufacturing Showcase at Victoria University in Sunshine which focused on ‘Creating New Opportunities’ for companies that have either successfully transitioned into new sectors or built stronger positions in their sectoral market place.
Hosted by the Victorian Government and the Industry Capability Network, the showcase brought together 350 local manufacturers and an impressive display of Victorian-made products and vehicles.
Speaking at the official opening ceremony, Mr Carroll said:
“Victoria is the heart and home of manufacturing, and today is about celebrating excellence across the industry,” the Minister stated.
“We are very proud to support the Victorian Manufacturing Showcase, bringing together our best and brightest innovators.”
Among those taking centre stage was BAE Systems Australia’s AMV35 Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle.
BAE Systems is currently in contention for LAND 400 Phase Two, a multi-billion dollar military vehicle contract to build 225 new Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles for the Australian Army.
The company recently unveiled plans to build a state-of-the-art defence hub at Holden’s Fishermans Bend factory in Melbourne where it will manufacture the vehicles, should it be successful in its bid for the project.
It said the deal will allow it to create 2,000 jobs for Victorians.
Mr Carroll said the Victorian Government was committed to growing the state’s manufacturing industry, which last year experienced the fastest employment growth of any industry in Victoria with around 40,000 new jobs created.
He said the Government’s new industry strategy – Advancing Victorian Manufacturing – A Blueprint for the Future – will help create manufacturing jobs of the future, grow small to medium businesses and strengthen the supply chain.
“Setting up this sector for future growth is critical, and that’s why our new industry strategy will help create new highly-skilled jobs and grow local businesses,” the Minister concluded.
