- Alcoa to fully curtail production at its Kwinana
Alumina Refinery
- Disappointing decision, expected to impact up to
1000 workers
- Government to provide support to workers to
retrain and find new job opportunities
- Strong future for Kwinana, with new industrial
projects underway
The
Cook Government has expressed its disappointment in Alcoa's decision to curtail
production at the Kwinana Alumina Refinery, and has committed to supporting
impacted workers.
Alcoa has made the commercial decision to fully curtail
production at the Kwinana refinery in the second quarter of 2024, on the basis
of the facility's age, scale and operating costs, as well as market conditions.
The facility will remain in care and maintenance for the
foreseeable future, with Alcoa's port facilities at Kwinana to continue to
operate to support the company's existing operations in Wagerup and Pinjarra.
The decision is expected to impact around 800 employees and
250 contractors.
The Cook Government understands redundancy packages will be available to
affected workers, and has urged Alcoa to support those workers through this
difficult period.
The State Government has a range of measures in place to
support affected workers into jobs, or to upskill and reskill so they can take
advantage of new opportunities.
The Rockingham Jobs and Skills Centre is ready to work with
Alcoa to match affected staff with employers in Kwinana and surrounding areas.
In addition, a dedicated team at South Metropolitan TAFE is
on standby to support displaced workers with tailored free career and training
advice. In consultation with Alcoa, the State Government will also
explore additional support options for staff, including establishing a
temporary Jobs and Skills Centre onsite at Kwinana.
The State Government is working hard to provide more
opportunities for people to upskill or train for new careers. More than
130 TAFE qualifications and short courses will be free in 2024, enabling even
more people to get the skills they need to get into the workforce.
Alcoa's other Western Australian operations are unaffected
and will continue to employ around 4000 people in the South West and Peel
regions.
Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:
"Today will be a difficult day
for workers in my local community of Kwinana.
"This is a very disappointing
outcome, and Alcoa needs to do everything it can to support its workforce
through this transition.
"My Government will step up to
provide supports for local workers to retrain, reskill and look for new career
opportunities in the local area.
"Kwinana is the industrial
heart of Perth, and has a bright future with new job-creating industrial
projects emerging on the strip - keeping Kwinana strong for generations to
come.
"We will continue to work with
Alcoa to ensure its other operations in Western Australia - including its
Pinjarra and Wagerup refineries - support local jobs into the future."
Comments attributed to Training and Workforce Development Minister
Simone McGurk:
"While we are disappointed with Alcoa's decision, the State
Government has measures in place that will help minimise the impact on affected
workers and set them up for the next stage in their career.
"Our Jobs and Skills Centres offer free services for
jobseekers, from job-matching to training and career advice - and we have
specialist local staff on standby to assist displaced workers.
"My message to affected employees is to take advantage of
the help on offer - there have never been more opportunities to upskill,
reskill, or forge a new career path."
