Gillard vows to help Ford workers

Ford's manufacturing workers won't be left behind when they lose their jobs in 2016, Prime Minister Julia Gillard has vowed.

Ms Gillard met workers from the company's Geelong factory yesterday afternoon and announced an extra $15.1 million to help them find new positions when operations close down.

Last month, Ford announced it would stop making cars in Australia, costing 510 jobs at Geelong and 650 at Broadmeadows.

It's been squeezed by the high Australian dollar, which has made exporting more expensive and cut the cost of imported cars.

Ms Gillard told the workers she understood it was a "lonely and bleak time''.

"I want to make sure no one gets left behind...I want to make sure Geelong does not get left behind.''

The money comes on top of an existing $51.9 million jobs assistance package.

Ms Gillard said $5 million will be set aside immediately to provide career advice services and training.

A further $5 million will go towards future skills training if required.

Geelong will be made a priority employment area, with a $200,000 fund to help the transition of workers into new jobs before or after the plant closes.

An Australian jobs and skills expo will be held in the city before June 30.

Businesses downstream in the supply chain won't be forgotten, with the Federal Government also allocating $470,000 to the Federation of Automotive Parts Manufacturers.