Major employers line up for Whyalla workers’ expertise
More than 600 job opportunities in the Upper Spencer Gulf are being made available by major employers for local workers impacted by administrator KordaMentha’s decision to close the Whyalla Steelworks blast furnace last month.
This is in addition to hundreds more jobs from employers across the state that the Malinauskas Government is assisting to coordinate as part of the $10.2 million Whyalla Support Package provided in partnership with the Commonwealth Albanese Government.
More than 20 companies including BHP, Cavpower, AdBri, McMahon, Hallett Group, Bunge, Randstad, Greenpoint Energy and United Salvage are working with the State and Federal Governments to connect impacted workers with a range of operator, technical, trade and professional roles in the region.
The roles vary from specialised technical trades to labour hire across sectors including defence, mining, construction, engineering, fabrication and more.
Approximately half of the impacted employees have indicated they will exit voluntarily, either choosing to retire or take a package to explore other employment options.
The South Australian and Commonwealth Governments remain firmly committed to supporting workers affected by the decision to close the blast furnace.
We are pleased to confirm that we are fully funding KordaMentha to enable the business to meet all entitlements for redundant workers at the point of their exit from the business, rather than at the conclusion of the sale process.
We are supporting workers and their families during this difficult time, as well as providing them with the certainty they need to make informed decisions about future opportunities.
Local impacted workers are already being connected with these opportunities, including at an Employer Connection Session held in Whyalla last week, which allowed workers to meet face-to-face with some of these employers to understand the roles that are available.
This is in addition to ongoing support that is available to workers and their families at the dedicated Worker Transition Centre, which was established in Whyalla through the Commonwealth and State Government’s Whyalla Support Package.
So far, more than 600 people have registered online for these supports, facilitating more than 750 visits to the Worker Transition Centre at TAFE SA Whyalla Campus to receive personalised help to move into new employment, build new skills and access support services.
This Thursday, 22 October, supply chain businesses impacted by the blast furnace closure will have the opportunity to meet directly with major buyers, learn about upcoming projects, work packages and procurement requirements, and gain insight into positioning their business for future opportunities.
The Whyalla Major Project Connect event hosted by the Department of State Development, Office of the Industry Advocate and supported by Tactic – will help connect Whyalla businesses with major companies and projects. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet key buyers, learn about forthcoming projects, work packages and procurement requirements, and develop a clearer understanding of how to prepare and position their business for future contract opportunities.
These initiatives are part of a comprehensive program of support in place to assistworkers, families and communities affected by the closure of the blast furnace.
Quotes attributable to Amanda Rishworth
Our focus has been clear: stand with Whyalla Blast Furnace workers and make sure they have the support they need to move into new opportunities.
What we're seeing now is exactly why the Albanese Government partnered with the South Australian Government to deliver the Whyalla Support Package.
More than 600 local job opportunities have been identified across a range of industries, helping workers find secure employment in the Upper Spencer Gulf.
The strength of the response from employers shows there is real confidence in the skills, experience and expertise of Whyalla workers. These are highly skilled people, and businesses across the region know the value they bring.
Through the Worker Transition Centre and personalised employment support, we're making sure workers and their families have practical help to navigate this change and connect with the opportunities available now and into the future.
Quotes attributable to Tim Ayres
The workers at the Whyalla Steelworks worked so hard to try and resolve the blast furnace. That’s why the Albanese and Malinauskas Governments have been working so hard for them.
The workers impacted by the blast furnace closure have the skills, experience and expertise that are highly valued across industry.
The community and industry have banded together - with more than 600 job opportunities across the Upper Spencer Gulf being available.
The Albanese and Malinauskas Governments will continue to back workers, their families and the Whyalla community throughout the transition and into new opportunities.
Quotes attributable to Peter Malinauskas
Since the Administrator KordaMentha's decision to close the Whyalla Steelworks blast furnace, we've seen an outpouring of job opportunities from businesses with roles available in the region.
We have now amassed a list of opportunities totalling more than 600 – that’s more jobs available than are being lost through the blast furnace closure.
This means that every worker impacted by the Whyalla steelworks blast furnace closure who wants a job should be able to get one – and for many, they will have a choice of jobs!
The Upper Spencer Gulf region remains on the precipice of an era of significant potential, and the fact that such opportunities exist to transition to meaningful employment while staying in the region tells a very positive story about the road ahead.
Quotes attributable to Tom Koutsantonis
The decision by the administrator that the blast furnace could not be brought back online was no surprise, but it was nonetheless a big blow for these workers who have already shown so much resilience over so long.
It’s heartening to see so many significant employers step up to offer alternative employment opportunities – and it gives us confidence that the region is well-positioned to weather this difficult period.
These are major companies, and shows that the Upper Spencer Gulf remains a major part of South Australia’s economic future.
This could mean many workers can not only find alternative work in the short-term, but could have a wealth of choice from the opportunities of offer.
Quotes attributable to Lawrence Ben MP, Assistant Minister for Copper, Steel, Critical Metals and Minerals
Our priority is to help impacted workers and their families connect with these job opportunities, as well as a range of training and support services.
We're committed to strengthening the development of a resilient, skilled workforce to support the rich scope of industries based in the Upper Spencer Gulf.
Once a buyer for the steel works is finalised, work will begin in earnest to creating the new technology that will revitalise the OneSteel operation as a major producer of sovereign steel for decades to come.
Quotes attributable to Mark Shean, Cavpower Chief Financial Officer
South Australia's ongoing investment in infrastructure and major projects across the mining and construction sectors, is helping create significant opportunities for our customers and helping drive Cavpower's growth.
To support this demand, we are actively recruiting for a range of positions, including qualified technicians, trade support roles, parts interpreters, store persons, administrative roles, and individuals looking to upskill or transition from other trades.
Quote attributable to Felicity Lloyd, Adbri Chief Sustainability & Innovation Officer
Adbri is pleased to support efforts to create new employment opportunities for Whyalla workers and to contribute to the region’s ongoing economic strength.
Through the recycling of the Accolade II in Whyalla, we are proud that a vessel which served South Australia for decades is now supporting local jobs and industry in a new way.
This project is creating valuable employment, training and skills development opportunities in heavy industry and recycling, while enabling experienced workers to apply their expertise to a new project.
It demonstrates how Adbri is creating positive outcomes beyond our direct business, working with industry and government partners to support jobs, build capability and contribute to the long-term prosperity of regional South Australian communities.
Employers:
- BHP – 100 jobs
- Nyrstar – 64 jobs
- Byrnecut – 60 jobs
- Cavpower – 50 jobs
- Career Co – 50 jobs
- Randstad – 40 jobs
- Zancott – 40 jobs
- Adbri/United Salvage – 30 jobs
- McMahons – 30 jobs
- Genus – 25 jobs
- Dept Corrections – 25 jobs
- Hallett – 20 jobs
- SCS Specialised Crushing Services – 20 jobs
- Flinders and Upper North Health – 20 jobs
- SAPOL – 15 jobs
- Alligator – 10 jobs
- Gadaletta – 10 jobs
- Progress Rail – 9 jobs
- WSB – 7 jobs
- Heathgate Mine – 6 jobs
- Cheeseman – 4 jobs
- ACS Cleaning – 4 jobs
- Whyalla Funerals – 2 jobs
- SRG Global – 2 jobs
Total – 643 jobs