Automotive Supplier Diversification Program

In reply to the Hon. A.L. McLACHLAN (14 April 2016).

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Employment, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation, Minister for Automotive Transformation, Minister for Science and Information Economy): I have been advised:

The following initiatives have been undertaken to publicise the changes to the program:

1. The task force continues to visit automotive supply chain companies to promote support programs for automotive workers.

2. The task force website has also been updated including the addition of updated guidelines (for both workers and partners) and registration forms (workers and partners);

3. Letters have been mailed outlining the changes to the program to all registered participants, automotive supply chain companies and relevant stakeholders; and

4. Northern Futures, our career advice service provider is also reinforcing the changes with all registrants in appointments, via SMS and follow up call-backs;

5. On 9 September 2016, the Automotive Transformation Taskforce implemented the ‘Drive Your Future’ campaign to raise awareness and to encourage eligible individuals to register for the Automotive Workers in Transition Program.

The program provides support to assist workers and/or their partners to transition to new employment. The majority of workers currently remain gainfully employed. The government is tracking program participation from the time they register, through each stage of the program. A worker tracking options paper is currently being finalised with the intention of tracking longitudinal outcomes including employment outcomes for the whole cohort.