The Ford Geelong issue will cause a few problems for a while yet. Local business identity Lawrie Miller who is part of the local Chamber of Commerce has suggested it will not cause a big ripple, that the people out on their ear may be absorbed in part, into “IT and Bio Tech industries…” (Geelong Advertiser 19/July/07)

Some might, but my gut instinct says its a bigger issue than that… Imagine being part of an organisation for 15 - 20 years making castings to be given the advice go into IT or Bio Tech… Yes it can happen and in some cases re skilling will take place, BUT if you have cast steel and aluminium for a long while, a ’softer job’ in IT may not suit, you might want a more physical position similar to your past emloyment.

The issues around this won’t lay down in a hurry but what will happen in the messy business that is developing, will be interesting to watch, redploy or not there will certainly be some casualties. In what is histrocially a working class area there are those that are set in their ways and want things to remain the same as they have always been. Hopefully there are enough with the ‘improvise, adapt and overcome’ attitude, which will propel them forward into new roles.

Lets hope that people can see through politcal smokescreens (the company and the government) and see a clear way forward, so the security these people are used to can continue.

Stumble it!