The Andrews Labor Government has worked with unions, Alstom and Bombardier to secure a jobs transfer between two major manufacturers, retaining highly skilled train builders in Ballarat.

The majority of Alstom’s permanent manufacturing staff will be redeployed to work on the VLocity train maintenance program at Bombardier’s Ballarat factory while work continues on the X’Trapolis 2.0 design.

The workers who are not redeployed will continue working on other rolling stock projects at Alstom.

The deal between Alstom, Bombardier, V/Line and unions provides certainty for workers and their families and keeps important, highly skilled manufacturing and maintenance jobs in Ballarat.

Alstom workers will keep their existing entitlements and the Labor Government will work closely with them to ensure they have the necessary training and development to undertake the new train maintenance work.

The deal will also benefit regional passengers by speeding up planned maintenance work on the constantly expanding VLocity fleet.

Alstom has been delivering the Labor Government’s $500 million of X’Trapolis train orders since 2015.

As part of the Government’s ongoing support of local manufacturing, $12 million will be provided to Alstom to enable the company to continue the next phase of design work for the X’Trapolis 2.0.

The Government has invested more than $4.5 billion in new trains, trams and supporting infrastructure since 2015 to meet growing passenger demand and create local jobs.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Melissa Horne

“We’re helping keep these highly skilled manufacturing jobs in Ballarat – giving certainty to workers and their families.”

“Alstom workers will gain new experience and skills carrying out vital maintenance on our VLocity fleet – helping to keep services moving across regional Victoria.”

Quote attributable to Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison

“We’ve listened to workers who told us they wanted to keep working in Ballarat – and that’s what we’ve helped to deliver.”

Quote attributable to Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle

“We’re securing the future of manufacturing in Ballarat and keeping these highly skilled workers close to home.”