Woodend manufacturer wins hall of fame award

Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas today congratulated local manufacturing business Barker Trailers on taking out the Workforce Skills Development Award at Tuesday night’s Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Awards.

Barker Trailers were one of the innovative, visionary and entrepreneurial Victorian businesses recognised for driving the growth of Victoria’s manufacturing industry.

The company has focused on developing their regional workforce through training, upskilling, knowledge sharing and other activities. Over 10 per cent of Barker Trailer’s workforce are apprentices and are located across various manufacturing trades including fabrication, auto-electric and vehicle spray painting.

Barker Trailers have been operating in Woodend since 1974 providing world-class customised semi-trailers for the road transport industry. They are a significant employer in the region with close to 200 employees across two sites – Woodend and Maryborough.

The business secured $234,700 funding for their Regional Workforce Development project through the Andrews Labor Government’s Regional Skills Fund last year.

The project will enable Barker Trailers to train and upskill 180 employees across the company’s manufacturing facilities at Woodend and create six new full-time jobs.

The Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame has been recognising outstanding businesses and individuals in the manufacturing industry since 2001.

Victoria’s manufacturing industry contributes over $30 billion to the Victorian economy annually, employs more than 270,000 people and competes globally with $19.6 billion annual exports in 2017-18.

For the full list of winners and finalists at the 2019 Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Awards, visit business.vic.gov.au/halloffame

Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas:
"Significant regional employers like Barker Trailers are supporting the local economy by driving innovation and through their commitment to developing and upskilling local workers."

"Barker are heavily committed to investing in local people and it’s fantastic to see them recognised as an industry leader for their work to enhance jobs and skills in regional manufacturing."

Quote attributable to Barker Trailers CEO, Simon Meadows:
"Barker Trailers are honoured to be recognised for its positive and continual impact in Workforce Development. People, Culture and Skill development is a vital part of our business and a key driver in all company decisions, as these areas align so intrinsically to our company goals and values."