Over 100 retrenched seat belt manufacturers from Melbourne’s north have a promising future in 2011 because of an AMWU program to facilitate new job and training opportunities. 
 
The workers from Autoliv Australia left the company’s historic Campbellfield workplace for the final time last Friday, as the company prepared to move the bulk of the plant’s production to Thailand. 
 
Whilst it was a sad day for most of the workers, AMWU Project Officer Mark Spyker believes there was a strong sense of optimism.
 
“They were bitterly disappointed when the retrenchments were announced (in April of this year). But since then, a belief has grown amongst them that there will be job opportunities, that they have a future outside of Autoliv.”
 
After Autoliv Australia announced the mass downsizing, the AMWU implemented a series of measures to ensure workers were better equipped to re-enter the workforce in 2011. 
 
“One of the first things we did for the workers was to arrange a jobs day. A forum in which local employers from different industries could come along to meet the workers and they in turn could get a feel for what jobs lay out there,” Mr Spyker said. 
 
“We established links with some of Melbourne’s best job seeker agencies.
 
“We followed that up with a Centrelink information day and visit from the local TAFE (Kangan Institute).”
 
The AMWU also lobbied the State Labor government to ensure workers received Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) certificates through the Brumby Government’s Skills Store program.
 
The certificates will enable the workers to produce evidence of the skills and competencies develop during their time at Autoliv.
 
“It was vitally important that these workers left Autoliv with a piece of paper that recognised what proficiencies they attained during their time with the company.
 
“We brought Kangan Institute in to give the workers a range of training options. Many of them took those up, from manufacturing training to fitness training to security and personal care.”
 
AMWU member and Autoliv employee of 15 years Figan Ozsoy was a one of many workers to embrace the training opportunities.
 
“I was nervous at first, I didn’t quite know where to start but I began studying a Certificate Three in Childcare part time in the second half of the year.
 
“It was shock to the system entering a childcare centre at first but I’ve really enjoyed it so far.
 
“Next year I’ll start work in a childcare centre and I’ll carry on to complete a Diploma.
 
“Mark and the Union were very helpful. They came in and gave us support from the moment we knew the factory would close. They’ve made a big difference.”