Alstom workers have started their first shifts on the VLocity train maintenance program under a job-saving deal supported by the Victorian Government to retain highly skilled transport manufacturing jobs in Ballarat.

Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll today welcomed workers from Alstom’s permanent manufacturing staff, who have been redeployed at Bombardier’s Ballarat factory while work continues on the X’Trapolis 2.0 design.

Twenty-two Alstom workers have undertaken two months of specialised training before joining the VLocity maintenance program, with other staff who have not been redeployed to continue working on other rolling stock projects at Alstom.

The deal between Alstom, Bombardier, V/Line and unions has helped provide certainty for workers and their families and keeps important, highly skilled manufacturing and maintenance jobs in regional Victoria.

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

Alstom has delivered almost $500 million of Victorian Government X’Trapolis train orders since 2015. The 106th and final X’Trapolis train recently completed construction in Ballarat and is now taking passengers in metropolitan Melbourne.

The Victorian Government is investing $12 million to support local manufacturing and enable Alstom to continue the next phase of design work for the X’Trapolis 2.0.

Construction is also underway on the Government’s order of 18 new VLocity trains, supporting 100 local jobs at Bombardier in Dandenong and hundreds more throughout the supply chain, with the order including six new trains specially designed for the North East Line – the first standard gauge VLocity trains to run on the network.

The Victorian 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 Ben Carroll

“This deal is an important part of our commitment to keep train manufacturing and maintenance skills in Ballarat and providing certainty to workers and their families – which is now more important than ever.”

“Alstom workers will gain significant new skills and experience and the deal will also play an important part in keeping essential public transport services moving across regional Victoria.”

Quote attributable to Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison

“Workers told us they wanted to stay close to their families and keep working in Ballarat – we’ve worked with unions and Bombardier and Alstom to help keep them near home.”

Quote attributable to Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle

“The manufacturing industry is vital to keeping Ballarat’s economy strong – ensuring these workers stay close to home will further support industry at this critical time.”