Some of Australia’s most iconic confectionery will soon be manufactured by former automotive workers.
Broadmeadows’ Prydes Confectionery, whose popular products include hard jubes, retro and boiled sweets, aniseed stars and black jelly beans, has announced plans to take on 50 new workers – 11 of whom will be former automotive workers.
The company, which has been manufacturing confectionery since the 1930s, is creating the positions after it received funding from the state government’s Local Industry Fund for Transition. The fund aims to help communities affected by the closure of automotive manufacturing.
Prydes will begin a $4 million expansion to improve production. Currently, it manufactures more than 60 million packets of confectionery a year.
Industry and Employment Minister Wade Noonan said the government was supporting Prydes to create local jobs at a time when they are needed the most.
“This is a proud day for local manufacturing as we watch more ex-automotive workers find new opportunities in the workforce,” he said.
Broadmeadows MP Frank McGuire said the new jobs would make a difference to the community.
“We know that Broadmeadows has felt the impacts of the end of local car manufacturing – and it’s companies like Prydes Confectionery that are opening new doors,” he said.
“We’re thrilled to see dozens of jobs coming to this area, including opportunities for ex-auto workers.”
