A coffee manufacturer in Melbourne’s north will create 16 new jobs for retrenched automotive workers, with a grant from the Andrews Labor Government’s $33 million Local Industry Fund for Transition (LIFT).
Minister for Industry and Employment Wade Noonan and Member for Brunswick Jane Garrett today visited Industry Beans in Fitzroy to announce a $225,000 grant, which will help boost the companies exports by more than $4 million and create 20 new jobs.
Industry Beans will use the funding to fit-out its 760sqm facility in Brunswick and purchase new production equipment to help them expand into large scale manufacturing.
The funding will also establish a revolutionary e-commerce platform, allowing users to access and trade high quality coffee from around the globe.
The new jobs that are created will provide opportunities to transition retrenched automotive workers, as part of the Labor Government’s $46.5 million Towards Future Industries: Victoria’s Automotive Transition Plan.
Our $33 million LIFT program provides grants to businesses to generate new investment and create jobs for retrenched workers in Melbourne’s South-East, North, West and Geelong – the communities most impacted by the closure of the automotive manufacturing companies.
The Labor Government is working hard to minimise the impact on workers and their families by providing additional assistance to help automotive workers find new opportunities, including:
- $30 million Automotive Supply Chain Training Initiative (ASCTI) for retraining and education programs to give workers the skills to secure new jobs
- $39 million Jobs Victoria Employment Network (JVEN) to help disadvantaged jobseekers, including retrenched auto workers, find meaningful work and keep it
- $8.4 million South East Automotive Transition skills program to strengthen training and job search support in south-east Melbourne
- $5 million Automotive Supply Chain Transition Program (ASCTP) to provide tailored support for automotive businesses to diversify into new markets.
For more information about LIFT and expressions of interest visit:
Quotes attributable to Minister for Industry and Employment Wade Noonan
“The Andrews Labor Government is doing all we can to support the businesses, workers and communities affected by the closure of car manufacturing in Victoria.”
“We know Melbourne’s north will be one of the communities hardest hit, this funding will help bring in new investment and new jobs for former auto workers in the area.”
Quote attributable to Member for Brunswick Jane Garrett
“Investing in companies like Industry Beans will help support Victorian automotive workers and affected communities transition to new jobs, provide opportunities for their futures – and it'll also help maintain Melbourne's status as Australia's number one city for coffee.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020