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AUS - Caterpillar Underground Mining workers get job package boost

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The Caterpillar factory at South Burnie.

WORKERS impacted by the looming closure of Caterpillar Underground Mining at Burnie will receive a $2.3 million assistance package to help find new jobs.

Braddon MP Brett Whiteley said today the Structural Adjustment Package would help retrenched Caterpillar employees and employees of other businesses that supplied Caterpillar access $2000 worth of services from local employment service providers.

Caterpillar announced in April this year that 280 jobs would go when the company shifted its Burnie operation to Thailand by March, 2016.

About 100 workers at Launceston’s soon-to-close Bradken foundry, a Caterpillar supplier, could also be eligible for assistance.

“This funding can be used for work related items, post-placement support, professional services, targeted training and licences,’’ Mr Whitely said.

“They will also have access to a new Government resource, the ‘What’s Next’ website, which provides a range of information and self-help resources to get retrenched workers on a pathway to new employment as quickly as possible.”

“While we have known for some time that this day would be coming, it doesn’t alleviate the anxiety that these workers and their families face leading into Christmas,’’ Mr Whiteley said.

The long lead-in however has allowed the Federal, State and Local governments to work together to ensure these workers get the support they need and to limit the impact on the local economy.

The assistance package also includes a jobs fair early next year and the appointment of a Transition Facilitator who will work with local employers.

“This is an important local, on-the-ground resource, to help job seekers reconnect with employment and training opportunities as quickly as possible,’’ Mr Whitely said.

Retrenched workers can call the Employment Services Information Line on 13 62 68 for information.

Source: themercury.com.au

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