GMC’s vision is a vibrant regional manufacturing sector now and for the future. Our strategy is guided by three key fundamental pillars: Knowledge Sharing – growing skills and capabilities; Networking – facilitating opportunities; and Advocacy – creating a positive environment and attracting talent and investment to the sector.
Manufacturers are faced with the day-in, day-out demands of producing quality products in an intensely competitive world, and GMC is your advocate and your local network in that challenging environment.
Below is an overview of what GMC did for regional manufacturing in 2023-2024.
We brought you together in record numbers
- Hosted 23 regular and stand-alone member events with 756 attendees – such as GMC Connect, Knowledge Cluster meetings and tours and special events.
- Delivered 6 additional training and targeted programs, which involved a further 18 events & 382 attendees. These included Leadership for Manufacturing Excellence training, schools tours to raise awareness about manufacturing careers, WIMN networking and our new CEO program in 2024.
- Launched 2 schools programs for Year 9 & 10 students in Geelong (with a record 67 applicants) and successfully expanded our schools program and women in manufacturing network to Ballarat, enrolling 19 students, visiting 6 manufacturing businesses and supporting 8 women in the mentoring program, and commenced work for similar expansion to Bendigo (with support from the Australian Government).
- Graduated 16 emerging leaders from our Leadership for Manufacturing Excellence program and enrolled 18+ valued employees in a new course (18 so far @ 20/6).
- Supported 10 women through our women in manufacturing mentoring program in 2023 and launched an expanded 2024 program with 20 women being supported by 20 industry mentors.
- We established 2 additional special interest groups – our Knowledge Clusters – to support members in more targeted ways (now totalling 3). Let your teams know and we can connect them into the relevant group.
- Welcomed 9 participants to a new high level professional development program for C-suite/GM leaders.
- Presented 9 sessions featuring 32 speakers to 156 guests at the biennial GMC Technology & Innovation Summit. Read the Summit Wrap here.
We spoke up for Manufacturing on the issues that matter to you
We met with Ministers and MPs throughout the year in Canberra and Geelong to address issues regarding trade support, immigration, industry policy, anti-competition issues and supplier challenges.
We campaigned on member concerns regarding the Closing Loopholes legislation and raised the profile of Geelong manufacturers among policymakers and influencers, including elected officials and relevant government authorities. Locally, we continued to drive advocacy for developing our future manufacturing workforce. More details will be in our Annual Report.
Over the next 12 months – look out for:
- GMC leading a Geelong Pavilion to promote this region’s capabilities for supplying Defence at the Land Forces Expo in September. Get in touch with me for more information.
- A revamped Leadership for Manufacturing Excellence program. There’s still time to sign up your 2024 teams.
- GMC Connect events: We host the GMC Worksafe Breakfast on 6 August, and will hear from manufacturing leaders about major opportunities at our 1st October GMC Connect.
- Our biennial Celebration Dinner for Regional Manufacturing, occurring on 28 March 2025, on the sidelines of Avalon Air Show. If you were there last time, you will remember we transformed the Avalon International Terminal into a spectacular dinner space. Read more here.
- A new Knowledge Cluster for Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) practitioners.
- Special events, invitations and opportunities across the year.
We’re looking forward very much to seeing you at a GMC activity soon. And feel free to call us anytime.