More than 350 of Victoria’s manufacturers will gather in Ballarat tomorrow for the 2016 Victorian Manufacturing Showcase event, which will be officially opened by Minister for Industry and Employment, Wade Noonan.
Themed Leveraging Opportunities in Growth Sectors, the annual event, held for the first time in regional Victoria, will feature some of our state’s most successful manufacturing firms, including Thales Australia, Haymes Paint, Gekko Systems and Alstom.
Manufacturing is one of Victoria’s largest industries, employing around 274,000 workers and contributing $27.5 billion to the state’s gross domestic product in 2014.
Victoria has a long and proud history of manufacturing. The Labor Government is working hard to create jobs and support high growth industries that will help transition our economy towards an advanced manufacturing state.
These sectors are transport, defence and construction technologies, professional services, international education, new energy technologies, food and fibre and medical technologies and pharmaceuticals.
Through our Manufacturing Program, the Labor Government is helping businesses, such as Wendouree based C.E. Bartlett, invest in new technologies and processes that will create jobs and increase productivity.
Under the program, C.E. Barlett has invested in new equipment including a welder, will upskill 10 of its workers and boost its exports by more than $1.5 million.
Ballarat’s manufacturing sector employs more than 4,600 people with approximately 600 manufacturing businesses in the area.
More information is available at
Quotes attributable to Minister for Industry and Employment Wade Noonan
“The Andrews Labor Government is proud to support this year’s Victorian Manufacturing Showcase in Ballarat, a testament to Victoria’s strong regional manufacturing sector.”
“Despite the closure of Ford, manufacturing is one of the largest industries in Victoria and will continue to support our high growth sectors that will create jobs and power the state’s economy.”
Quote attributable to Member for Wendouree Sharon Knight
“Ballarat has built a proud legacy in manufacturing. It’s fantastic that the event is being held here – the first time in regional Victoria.”
Quote attributable to Member for Buninyong Geoff Howard
“Ballarat’s local manufacturing industry underpins our local economy, employing around 4,600 people. This event showcases the high-tech businesses that create good jobs in our region.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020